Marian Biggins
MARIAN BIGGINS, passed away quietly at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at the age of 72 years after a two-year battle with bile duct cancer.
She leaves to mourn, her husband of 48 years Kieran, their children Kieran (Carmen), Caitlin, and Gerard (Erin); grandchildren Elena, Liam, Lily, and Noah. She was predeceased by her parents Charles and Margaret Mulholland.
Marian was born in Glasgow, Scotland and brought up in Coatbridge. She received her Diploma in Education from Craiglockhart College in Edinburgh and Certificate in the Education of the Deaf from Oxford University.
Marian and Kieran married in 1978 and in 1981 immigrated to Canada and settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba where their children were born. Marian taught at several schools in the Winnipeg School Division until 1990 when the family moved to Lethbridge. In addition to her own business as an Itinerant Special Education teacher, Marian worked in several positions, at Lethbridge Community College, the Children’s Care Centre and as a Consultant for Calgary Board of Education. In 1997 Marian received her Master of Education from the University of Lethbridge and the following year started with Palliser Regional Schools, initially as a Consulting Teacher at Jennie Emery School, followed by Early Intervention Specialist, then Director of Student Services for the Division. In 2010 Marian accepted a position as Director of Student Services at Medicine Hat School Division. In 2013 she returned to her alma mater, teaching in the Education Program. As a lifelong educator, Marian was far from finished, restarting her business as an Itinerant Special Education teacher and finishing her career as a Learning Facilitator for the Southern Alberta Professional Development Consortium.
Marian was highly respected by her peers across Southern Alberta. In addition to teaching, Marian volunteered with the L’Arche Community in Lethbridge for over 30 years. When she wasn’t teaching or volunteering, Marian loved reading British crime mysteries, watching costume dramas on TV, or sitting at Crow Lake, Ontario with dearest friends listening to Enya. She loved a busy house and cooking for hungry guests. She cherished the friendship of her running/walking ladies’ group and was proud of her 10K finishes around Alberta and in the US, Iceland and Scotland.
Marian’s family and friends are deeply saddened by her passing. She has asked that there be no funeral, but instead, for friends and family to gather at a later date to celebrate her life. In addition, Marian has asked that in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a local charity that caters to the needs of the homeless, disabled, marginalized or victimized in our midst. Marian would also like to thank the tremendous dedicated Medical, Nursing, Paramedic and Laboratory staff of the Jack Ady Cancer Centre, Palliative Care Unit at St. Michaels, Lethbridge EMS and Chinook Regional Hospital.
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I worked with Marian as a volunteer with L’Arche Lethbridge and very much valued her wisdom, her beautiful spirit, and her friendship. My sincere condolences to you Kieren and your family.
My heart goes out to Kieran (senior) and the family. I didn’t know Marion “in depth” but I knew her (mostly through Kieran) and I appreciated the encounters I had with her. She was a lovely woman and, it seems, blessed with a huge heart. Her passing will leave a void in so many ways. Many hugs to the family.
Marian’s friendship touched me and shaped me in so many ways. She was caring and kind beyond measure. She encouraged me in so many ways and I will miss her every day.
My deepest condolences to Marian’s family and her tribe of closest friends. Her strength and cheerfulness, beautiful demeanor was such an inspiration. No one who fought so hard should lose that battle. Her spirit will shine on.
Dearest Kieran, Kieran, Caitlin, and Gerard, So sorry to hear about Marian’s passing and her long fought battle. I cherish so many memories of her kindness and hospitality. As a kid I had no concept of how she was quite literally changing the world around her in so many ways… just knew her as Mrs Biggins - and knew I loved her cooking, was dazzled by her swirly red carpet, always felt her kindness, and was blown away that someone could have a hottub IN their home. But as I grew and learned of her work as an adult, I was so moved by the enormity of her passion, and how a single human could be put on this earth the make such ripples all around her. We are so sorry for her loss and are sending you all love. We are all better for having known Marian.