THE death has been announced of Marion Canning, a key figure in the Solihull Borough Talking Newspaper Association.
Marion, who was born in 1935, died suddenly at home on September 24.
Described as an active and enthusiastic personality with a flair for leadership, together with her late husband Marion was involved in the running of the local branch of the National Trust.
She was a member of the Guild of Toastmasters and oversaw many celebrations and formal occasions in the role of Master of Ceremonies until retiring in 2019.
She joined the Solihull Borough Talking Newspaper Association in 2010 and played a prominent role as a reader, a producer and leader of a copying team.
She became chairman in 2013 and with the proposed changes to Touchwood and the Solihull Priory building she oversaw the transfer of the Talking Newspaper to a purpose-built recording facility in the Core.
In 2017 she led the Association to an award from Solihull Council -The Solihull Together Award for The Outstanding Community Project and in 2020 to the award of the Queen’s Award to Voluntary Organisations (the MBE for volunteer groups).
Marion was expected to accept the award at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace but the event was postponed due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
A long time friend said: “She could be forceful at times but was also compassionate when dealing with people less fortunate than herself.
“She will be greatly missed by her family and her many friends and colleagues.”
