Blog Post
CTHS BC • January 26, 2021
With heavy sadness the family of Marlene Braithwaite announces her sudden passing in Edmonton, Alberta on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at the age of 81 years. She was predeceased by her husband Ernest (Ernie) Braithwaite (2018), her parents Marjorie and Allen, her sister Joan McKeigan, her brother Gordon (Denny) Smith, her sister-in-law Sharon Braithwaite, and her nephew Troy Braithwaite.
Marlene was born on September 13, 1939 to Marjorie and Allen Smith in Stettler, Alberta. She enjoyed a happy childhood with her parents and siblings Joan and Denny growing up on a farm near Delburne, Alberta.
Marlene and Ernie married in Edmonton in 1958. They raised a family with their three boys, Murray, Gary, and Neil. In the late 70s they acquired a farm south of Calgary and in 1983 they moved to a farm on Whidbey Island near Oak Harbor, Washington, where they turned their energies to breeding, raising, and racing thoroughbred horses with their close friend and partner, Sonny Gorasht.
Marlene became an expert at thoroughbred genealogy and given her talents, she and Ernie were successful breeders, raising champions in both Washington and British Columbia, which included stakes winners Restful Native (1982), Currency Control (1983), De Havilland (1984), Royal Reach (1986), Late Sailing (1990), Another Sparkle (1993), Bay Street Blues (1995), La Belle Fleur (2000), Suva (2004), And All That Jazz (2004), Gotta Find Bubba (2006), La Belle Rose (2008), and Locket (2010). What makes their story interesting is that they started out by claiming three mares from the Alberta racing circuit. Nine of the thirteen stakes winners are descendants of two of the original mares. Marlene and Ernie maintained horses at the track until just a few years ago.
Marlene and Ernie retired to Surrey, British Columbia in 1996. She quickly became an exceptional gardener and became expert on roses. Her rose garden was a spectacular sight to behold with more than 400 rose varieties that included her very own Allison Rose. She won several awards at the local garden club as well as Best of Show for her sweet peas at Van Dusen Garden.
She was a loving wife to Ernie for more than 50 years. A loved daughter, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend; Marlene will be lovingly remembered as an incredible whip-smart woman with a no-nonsense approach to life and a keen wit. She will be sorely missed by her sons and their wives, Murray (Tracey), Gary (Silvia) and Neil (Michele); her grandchildren, Allison, Emerson, Ross, Cesar, and Martin; her brother-in-law, Lorne and wife Josie, her sister-in-law Nancy Smith, and brother-in-law Bill (Margaret) McKeigan; and her nieces and nephews, Todd, Jodi, Travis, Allen, David, Steven, Carol, Michael, and Deirdre (goddaughter); and her many friends in British Columbia.
Any donations in Marlene’s memory may be made to Salvation Army of Canada, whom both Marlene and Ernie regularly supported.
A memorial service will be organized for Marlene in the summer and she will be interred next to Ernie in Dewberry, Alberta.
Huge blow to Hastings as CTHS President passes just two weeks after his Willow Creek Farms secures its second consecutive leading-owner title
Current leading 3rd crop sire in Canada, the son of Smart Strike, COUNTERFORCE is on the move. COUNTERFORCE who stood in 2024 at Stride Away Thoroughbreds (Steen and Cathy Reggelsen) in Armstrong, BC will be relocating to Empire Equestrian in Ardrossan, AB. For breeding information contact Lori Neyka 780-719-0400 or [email protected] .
The office will be closed Wednesday, December 20, 2023 - Wednesday, January 3, 2024 The office reopens on Thursday, January 4, 2024 Wishing you a happy, healthy holiday season and good racing in 2024! The Directors and staff - CTHS BC
Plan to attend on Monday August 7th BC Cup Day at the Marquis Tent area
On the Move: Current leading second-crop sire in Canada COUNTERFORCE (seen with Jack Bennett at Road's End Farm)
An Inspiration for 2023 CTHS BC Yearling & Mixed Sale
To: All members of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (BC Division) NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TAKE NOTICE THAT the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (BC Division) will be held: Time: Commencing at 11:30 am Date: Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Place: CTHS (BC Division) Office - Boardroom #7 – 5492 Production Blvd. Surrey, BC The main purpose of this meeting is for the following: 1. to receive the annual reports of the Society; 2. to approve the appointment of the auditor for the 2022 fiscal year; 3. to transact such business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. Dated this 30th day of May, 2023. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Note: Copies of the 2022 financial statements and minutes of the June 23, 2022 annual general meeting will be available at the meeting or upon request by contacting the office. As per Article XI, Section 9 (a) of the CTHS By-Laws, new business proposed to be discussed at the meetings of the Society, or any Regional Division thereof, shall be delivered in writing to the National Executive Secretary or Regional Secretary/General Manager as the case may be. Proposed new business, endorsed in writing by at least three (3) members entitled to vote at the meeting and received prior to the mailing of the Notice of the Meeting, shall be included in the agenda and may be subject of a vote at the meeting. Only voting members who are present are eligible to vote (no proxies).
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