Fonds F2491 - Marmie Hess fonds

Margaret (Marmie) Perkins Hess, 1916-2016, was born in Calgary, Alberta to parents Frederick Welker Hess, 1874-1956, and Ina Perkins, ? – 1946. She completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1938 from the University of Toronto. During the Second World War she taught art at the Alberta Provincial Institute of Technology and the Banff School of Fine Arts before completing post-graduate studies at the University of Iowa in 1947.

Marmie’s academic career focused on studying and preserving art, especially Aboriginal art. In 1970, she opened Calgary Galleries Limited. Earlier, in 1952, Marmie acquired the Spencer Creek Ranch and built its reputation as a successful horse breeding and cattle operation. She has made many contributions in the field of education, to environmental causes and community service organizations.

Marmie was named a Member of the Order of Canada in 1982 and an Officer in 1993, has numerous other awards, and holds an Honourary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the University of Lethbridge, and Honourary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Calgary and the University of Alberta. She was also made a member of the Alberta Order of Excellence and a Fellow of the Glenbow Museum.