Marion Juhasz’s Legacy Story

Marion Juhasz’s story is a beautiful tapestry woven from deep cultural roots, a cross-country love story, and a lifetime of quiet, impactful service to Abbotsford. Marion grew up wrapped in the vibrant traditions of Southwestern Ontario’s 1950s Hungarian immigrant community—the very place her parents met and married, after immigrating to Canada separately. Embracing her heritage, Marion spoke only Hungarian at home, stepping into a whole new world when she learned English just before kindergarten. 

Her life took a turn on December 19, 1981, when she married her high school sweetheart, Walter Dona. Less than one week later, on Boxing Day, the newlyweds packed their lives into a car and drove across a wintry Canada. Their destination was Mission, B.C., where Walter was posted with the RCMP. They settled in Abbotsford, fell in love with the community and never left. 

In Abbotsford, Marion’s career and family flourished. She earned her CMA in 1985 (later becoming a CPA), bringing her sharp financial mind to roles ranging from a local abattoir to CA firms. In 1986, she joined Golden Valley Foods, steadily rising through the ranks from office manager to Controller. 

Amid building a successful career, Marion and Walter welcomed their greatest joys: their son, Brenden and their daughter, Marissa. Today, their family has grown to welcome Brenden’s wife, Crystal, and Marissa’s husband, Jordan. Grandchildren Autumn and Piper are the newest additions to the family tree. 

For Marion, community was not just a place to live; it was a place to serve. Whether she was managing her son’s Abbotsford Minor Hockey team for years or steering the finance committee at St. James Parish, Marion always stepped up where she was needed. In 2007, she brought her financial expertise to the Abbotsford Community Foundation (ACF) Community Grants Committee, joining the Board of Directors in 2008 and stepping into the role of Treasurer in 2010. Though she retired from the Board in 2021, her dedication never wavered—she still serves on both the Finance and Investment committees today. 

It was during an ACF grants site visit in 2007 or 2008 that Marion’s philanthropic vision truly crystallized. Walking into the Cyrus Centre, she saw firsthand the safe haven and support the organization provided to vulnerable local youth. Cyrus Centre is modeled after her favorite charity, Covenant House. As a teenager, Marion said she was extremely fortunate to have spent some time living in a similar setting and they stipulated continued family contact. Her life, she said, could have turned out quite differently had she not had their intervention. She understands, firsthand, that “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken adults.” 

Marion established her endowment fund: “Shepherds Watching Over Us” through a permanent bequest to the Abbotsford Community Foundation. Cyrus Centre is the beneficiary for the income from her fund. This unusual name was chosen for several reasons. The very first visitors Jesus had after he was born were shepherds. To this day, Marion explains, she cannot listen to the story of Jesus’ birth as told in the gospel of Luke without hearing the voice of Linus, explaining the true meaning of Christmas to all the Peanuts gang, by directly quoting from scripture. Last, but not least, and a reason that has special meaning for Marion, is that her last name, translated from Hungarian, means “shepherd”. “So, this is my way of tying my name to the fund without making it obvious” she said. “l kept my maiden name as a way of honouring my father, who was an only child.”