Mrs. Marie Catherine von Rosenschild Paulyn

Marie Catherine von Rosenschild Paulyn (née Sobarnitsky) September 10, 1927 Bayonne France - July 17, 2017 Toronto Canada Marie died peacefully in her sleep at home several weeks after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was ready to embrace her new adventure with curiosity and elegance – the way she lived her almost 90 years. Marie was extremely grateful for the long and full life she led. She leaves behind her children Dimitri (Yoon Hee), Hélène (Ron), and Katherine; her grandsons Justin, Nick (Allison), Alexander (Sarah), Phillip (Alanna), Pearce (Emma), her special granddaughter Maxine and three great-grandchildren Charles, Taylor and Emily. She was very appreciative of the lovely week-long visit she just had with her sister Olga from France and the many recent Skype calls with her brother Vladimir and other French relatives. Marie’s spirit touched many lives in different ways with profound effects. From a very rich cultural background that married her Imperialistic Russian roots with her French upbringing Marie had a unique and cosmopolitan perspective that combined to define her loyalty to Canada where she chose to live these last sixty-five years. Her insatiable interest in new adventures started as a young bride and mother of two, first arriving in Montreal from Paris by Cunard steam ship R.M.P. Scythia. When her husband Nicholas was transferred to Toronto in the late 1950s, her three children were of school age and so she too looked for new challenges. She quickly turned her artistic and sewing talents to making beautiful clothes and crafts. Handmade dolls were her specialty though her passion was making costumes for masquerade balls they loved to attend….as well as creative Hallowe’en outfits where her vivid imagination was given free reign. An actress with the Toronto French theatre group, “Les Tréteaux de Paris” Marie was often cast in a role as the beautiful and stylish person she was…on the stage and off. Marie began her modelling and acting career with television commercials for coffee, soaps and even cigarettes (as a non-smoker Marie laughed how she "smoked" on camera ☺). Later when she was hired as the Colour Consultant for Robson Lang Leathers (Oshawa) the fashion world became Marie’s stage. She regularly travelled globally to all the fashion capitals of the world, absorbing and forecasting colour styles for leather shoe, handbags and accessories manufacturing. She was on the Executive for many years of the Fashion Group in Toronto where her elegance and eye for style were much appreciated. When that chapter ended as did her marriage, Marie drew on her lifelong passion for eastern philosophies and practices to qualify as one of the first female yoga teachers in Toronto…a pioneering role for a woman in the early 70s. Over forty-five years ago in Toronto, yoga was far from mainstream. In fact, at the time, Marie was being offered a government job in Ottawa, and was told by the hiring official, that it was conditional on her giving up that “weird” practice of yoga…something they did not want linked to the role. Marie chose yoga and over the decades became a respected and renowned teacher and leader in Canada. She held executive positions in FOYT (Federation of Ontario Yoga Teachers), taught, inspired and certified hundreds of teachers and students..right up until mid-May! In keeping with her sense of discovery and lifelong learning, Marie actively led monthly ‘Enquiring Minds” discussion groups at the Wychwood Library. Her research into esoteric subjects and everyday phenomena was rigorous. Physics and psychology were her favourites. She also animated many a ‘Ulyssean Society” meeting with her deep knowledge and life experiences. The family thanks all of the compassionate CCAC staff, SRT supporter Emma, Sandy Thompson, NP, Dr. Jessica Roy from Dorothy Ley Hospice and Dr. Henny Rappaport, Marie’s family physician and friend of forty years. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Marie’s life is planned for September. No flowers please but if desired, a donation to CAMH or West Toronto KEYS to INclusion, (where Marie’s granddaughter attends) or a charity of your choice in Marie’s name would be greatly appreciated by the family. Namaste!