Last updated June 5 2025
Chapter 36
Love of Auctions
I was introduced to the world of auctions by Marlene.
The first one was the result of the unfortunate passing of her father resulting in an estate auction on the site of the family homestead. Others followed and I did my utmost to share her enthusiasm for antiques.
She just loved them and loved to scroll on the Web the items coming up that weekend. She would exclaim, "Come see this one, isn't that pretty"
Her love began early when she would attend with her father various auctions in the area including PEI and NS.
It was a first for me and so initially I found it to be interesting but then I began noticing that in my words “It was all old stuff” rather than what are known as antiques. A lot of people love antiques especially if they’re in good shape but for me I simply did not see the attraction.
She tells the story where both her and father were bidding on the same item against each other with both wishing to obtain in order to give to the other.
Marlene would love to walk around prior to the auction staring and looking at everything. She would flip over various dinnerware items to see by whom and make a decision based on that information.
In later years she would bid on various small items online and in some cases give them as gifts to family members such as Nancy and Dawn. I would go pick them up for her and upon my return she would rush to the kitchen to see and in some cases, she would say oh how pretty is that. She would also comment at times that it looked smaller or bigger than on the online picture.
I think what stands out for me is that Marlene had many interests in life and I am just now learning to celebrate this aspect.
Visiting an Antique shop in Ontario