Marion Cameron, best known as a leading designer for Birks Jewellers, passed away peacefully on June 30 at the age of 68.
“Marion was a wonderful person and designer,” says Dan Kratochvil, former divisional vice-president of product development and design for Birks. “She was a wonderful human being, always seeing the best in people and situations.”
Cameron began her stellar career in design at Aspreys, creating pieces for the likes of Ringo Starr, Elton John, and European royalty. In 1980, she moved to Canada, where she worked for many years as a leading designer for Birks Jewellers. There, Marion also shared her skills with a number of emerging designers, training them in the Birks Design Studio.
“Professionally, Marion was thoughtful, creative, meticulous, versatile and ready and willing to lend assistance even if it was beyond her functional duties,” recalls Kratochvil, who worked with her on many high-profile projects, including the creation of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games replica torch, a submission for the re-design of the Grey Cup, and more. “Her creativity and versatility made her unique in that she was at ease creating products for other categories besides jewellery.”
Marion will be remembered by her husband, Vincent Cameron, her devoted brothers, John Pumfrey and Keith Tabor, and many close friends, relations and colleagues around the world.
“In the end, I would say that Marion had a love for jewellery design and also for Birks,” adds Kratochvil. “She designed some of the finest pieces of jewellery that [the company] has created over the last 30 years. Her legacy at Birks is considerable and without question and she will be sorely missed.” CJ
