Marnie Plant, one of the driving forces behind Richmond's non-profit social enterprise Storeys Café, has passed away, age 64.
Plant’s family said she had been fighting, for two years, a rare form of blood cancer, but that she handled it with “remarkable grace and fortitude” by making the most of every day and seeing opportunity in adversity.
Her sister, Brenda Plant, who had been working with her over the years at the café and at the Turning Point Recovery Society, told the Richmond News that much-loved Marnie "never complained, she was always positive and filled with hope.
"And I think those are qualities that she tried to instill around people.”
With contribution from Marnie, Storeys Café, on Anderson Road near Richmond City Hall, has been serving as a hub since 2017, offering job training to those living in the Storeys building, which houses people from the vulnerable community, such as those on a low-income and people battling addictions, mental health issues and abuse.
In addition to helping recovering addicts gain hands-on employment experience, Marnie launched a successful catering service out of the café, which won a Richmond News’ Best of Richmond award last year.
She was also active in the University Women's Club and participated in Richmond's shoe memorial project in memory of the suspected remains of 215 children found in unmarked graves at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Mayor Malcolm Brodie described her as a “hard worker” who cared a lot about serving people.
Marnie’s brother, Geoff - who served as an MLA for Richmond-Steveston in the late 1990s - recalled his younger sister’s selfless nature.
"She was always looking for intellectually challenging work, to help people and make her community a better place. That's who she was. She wanted to help but she never wanted to be in the public eye or on the stage to take credit," said Geoff.
Bob Jones, one of the residents of Storeys, was stunned to hear the news.
"The café was Marnie's baby. I have known Marnie and her sister Brenda for three or four years, and I met them at the café. Marnie and Brenda are special people and they put lots of things in my heart that no one else did in this world," said Jones.
"I am sure many clients are going to be very sad about her passing."
Marnie is survived by her brother Geoff (Janet), sister Brenda (Matt Jameson), niece Caroline (Greg), nephew Graham (Sarah) and their children, who all knew and loved her as their wonderful Auntie Marn.
A celebration of life will be held later this spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the VGH/UBC Hospital Foundation (Leukemia/Bone Marrow Transplant Program).
