PEI Curling Hall of Fame inductee Marie Toole passes away at 94

Marie Toole, 1974 finalist skip at the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship and a six-time PEI women’s champ, as well as a three-time PEI Mixed champ and a 2008 inductee into the PEI Curling Hall of Fame, has passed away at The Mount Continuing Care facility in Charlottetown at the age of 94.

Marie Toole receiving her 2008 PEI Curling Hall of Fame induction certificate

Marie Toole Funeral Announcement:

1926-2021

Peacefully at the Mount Continuing Care Community on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 of Marie Toole of Charlottetown age 94 years.

Born in South Melville she is the daughter of the late Peter and Byna (Malone) Toole.

Marie enjoyed sports, especially curling and golf and liked to keep up with events like the Masters and the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. She was an avid golfer and curler having been runner up in 1969 and a six-time participant in the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.

Marie is lovingly remembered by her brother Gavin Toole (Elaine deceased) and many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.

She was also predeceased by her brother Ellison Toole (Della) and nephews Eugene and Kevin Toole and Dan Fortune

Resting at the Hennessey Cutcliffe Charlottetown Funeral Home. Due to current restrictions a funeral mass (by invitation only) will be held at the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer and will be available to public viewing via live stream on Friday, April 9th at 10:00 a..m by visiting Marie’s obituary at www.islandowned.ca and clicking on the link provided. Interment later in St. Joseph’s Parish Cemetery, Kelly’s Cross.

If so desired memorial contributions may be made to KidSport PEI. On-line condolences may be made at www.islandowned.ca.

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Here is her PEI Curling Hall of Fame writeup:

2008 Hall of Fame Ceremony Photo (L-R): Jerry Muzika, Chair PEI Curling Hall of Fame and Museum, inductee Al Ledgerwood, inductee Marie Toole, John Squarebriggs Jr., son of posthumous inductee John Drake Squarebriggs, inductee Freeman Miles.

Marie Toole
Curler

Marie Toole began curling more than 50 years ago to pass the winter months while the golf courses were closed. She launched what would become an outstanding career as a competitive curler.

Marie began her career at the Charlottetown Curling Club and it wasn’t long before she was on a team, playing third, that won the PEI Mixed Championship in 1966. Her skip was Dougie Bell, and her team mates were Bill MacGregor and Marion Partridge.

The next year, 1967, she was playing third on the team that won the PEI Women’s Championship along with skip Elizabeth Macdonald, Barb Squarebriggs and Peg Dalziel. As well, that same year, she was a winner of the PEI Mixed Curling Championship, playing third on the Allan Smith skipped team, with Bill McGregor and Pauline Johnston.

Two years later, in 1969, another PEI Women’s Curling Championship. This time, she skipped the team with third Jennie Boomhower, second Mary Acorn, and lead Pauline Johnston. The Canadian Championship was held in Thunder Bay, Ontario and the Team finished third.

She was the provincial winner again for the next three years straight, with third Jennie Boomhower, second Cathy Dillon, and lead Pauline Johnston.

In 1973, she was a winner once again, as a member of the PEI Mixed Curling Championship Team, playing third for Doug Cameron, alongside Bill McGregor and Pauline Johnston.

In 1974, she was back again as the winner of the PEI Women’s Championship with her same team of Jennie, Cathy and Pauline. The team placed second at the Canadian Women’s Curling Championship in Victoria that year —- the very best showing any Island women’s team has accomplished to date.

Marie Toole was also active in the administrative side of Curling, serving as the Charlottetown Curling Club’s delegate to the PEI Ladies Curling Association, from 1962 to 1964 and again as the clubs provincial delegate, 1977/78, and 1978/79. Marie was the Secretary/Treasurer of the PEI Ladies Curling Association in 1962/63.

At the club level, Marie served as Vice President, Charlottetown Ladies Curling Club, 1972/73, and as President for the 1973/74 year. She also Co-convened one of the club’s major fund raisers in those days, the 1975 Charlottetown Ladies Curling Club Fashion Show.

All in all, six provincial women’s championships and three mixed championships – Marie Toole, worthy of induction into the Prince Edward Island Curling Hall of Fame in the curler category this 20th day of October 2008.

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