My heart goes out to you.
I’ve just learned of Marc’s passing.
How absolutely devastating and shocking that must have been, and I am sure, continues to be.
I thought that it might bring you some small solace to hear how you and Marc brought something very special to our family. We didn’t have the honor of knowing Marc for a long time, but sometimes it doesn’t have to take a long time to leave lasting and cherished memories. And that’s how we feel about our time with Marc and you.
Trish, in 2008 you invited our kids, Claire deBruyn (the dancer) and Alex (older brother) to join Fiddlerush Too, and Gord and I helped out with the show for those weeks in Dawson. That was a very special experience with you and Marc and the other performers and their families. The memories we have of you and Marc are ones that will remain with our family forever.
My kids felt inspired, respected and cared about by Marc. He was so amazingly warm, kind, patient, encouraging and went out of his way to make sure the “new kids” felt part of the group. As a Mom, that meant a lot to me. Marc spent hours coaching Alex on everything from his speaking parts to how to make the French horn actually be part of the Orange Blossom Special. Alex is a chatterbox and highly distractible at times and Marc was so terrific at building a relationship with him that was respectful, helpful and memorable. Alex is now in his fourth year of a Conservation Biology/Ecology degree at UBC but he proudly insists on including on his resume the fact that he was a performer with the Fiddlerush Too. Marc was also an amazingly positive and inspiring person with Claire -- supportive ,fun with the Quebecois dancing and every other aspect of the show. I still remember how he got up there and showed her how to just “give ‘er” for that dance! J
It was obvious that Marc really wanted to share his love of life with others – and he excelled. His heart, soul, mind and talent were pure gold and he used all that brilliance to work with others in such a cooperative and creative way. I honestly think that Marc cared more about building a cohesive whole than anything else. I think he was one of those rare and wonderful people who truly believed that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. And he helped all those parts to grow and develop! He valued everyone and it showed in every word and action. He was congruent.
Marc mentored kids in such an egalitarian and wonderfully fun way. He worked hard to set things up so that the younger performers shone and gained confidence. Marc led by example, and he did it in a gentle, professional and engaging way. It was a beautiful thing to see! His wit and wisdom made people around him feel good. With the talent that he clearly possessed he could have let his ego get in the way, but he never did. I don’t think it ever crossed his mind. He seemed so startlingly humble. Marc was many things, and he may not have thought of himself as a teacher, but in my view, he was, and he was superb. Exemplary teachers like Marc are remembered for more than the lessons taught; they are remembered ultimately for who they are as people; the relationships formed, and the depth and quality of those relationships. He always left people feeling good, and that is no easy task.
We didn’t know Marc long. But what is amazing about someone with the depth, warmth and compassion of a guy like that is that you are enriched by having known him, no matter in what context, or for how long. He’s the kind of person that we all want to “grow up to be like”. Even if we are already supposed to be all grown up! I haven’t seen Marc in 4 years since we all said “bye” and hugged that night after our last dinner in Dawson, yet I have such a deep sense of him. He really left an impression on our family –as I am sure he did with hundreds of other families. No doubt, he lives in the hearts and minds of families all across Canada and beyond. He lived well, loved fully and just gave and gave and gave. And we were so lucky to have had that moment in time in Dawson to share.
There’s that old saying that someone is never truly gone as long as they live in the hearts and minds of others. I think that is true. And, I know that even the relatively brief time that my kids (and us) had with Marc helps us, even today, to be better people – more loving, more patient, more kind, more fun, and life-loving. When you meet someone like Marc, you see how things CAN BE and you want to be that best person that is inside all of us. He is a role model for us all, regardless of what we do in life. By his example, he has shown us how to embrace life and give to others. He was a very special person. Trish, we won’t forget Marc, ever.
We’re all so, so sad for your loss, Trish. Marc was a beautiful person. And when I look at the picture of Marc looking at you, clearly, he thought the very same about you.
You’re a special and remarkable person and I hope you have loving people surrounding you now.
Our thoughts are with you.
Janice (Wiens), Gord, Alex and Claire (deBruyn)
Whitehorse, Yukon
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