Marion Gilsenan

Marion Gilsenan (1936 - January 11, 1999) was a Canadian actress, best known for her regular role as Joan McKenzie in the Canadian television soap opera Riverdale.[1]

Born in England, Gilsenan moved to Canada in her early 20s, and began her career as a stage actress with the Canadian Stage Company and the Shaw Festival.[2] She was a four-time Dora Mavor Moore Award nominee for her stage work, receiving nods for Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role in 1980 for Strawberry Fields,[3] Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Play (Midsize Theatre) in 1995 for The Stillborn Lover,[4] Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Musical (Large Theatre) in 1996 for A Little Night Music,[5] and Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Play (Large Theatre) in 1997 for Thirteen Hands.[2]

On television she principally had supporting and guest roles until being cast as a regular in Riverdale.[2] Of her character, Gilsenan said that "she's not totally nice -- she's very selfish, very snobbish, but she also has wonderful qualities. She wants the best for herself and her family. I think there's some self- knowledge, some warmth and sense of humour."[2] Gilsenan was battling cancer for much of her stint on the series,[1] but delayed chemotherapy because her early treatments made her too weak and tired and she did not want to give up her acting roles.[2]

She died of cancer on January 11, 1999, after production on the second season of Riverdale had concluded but before production on the third season began.[2] Her character was written out of the series rather than being recast.[6]

She was a Gemini Award nominee for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Program or Series at the 6th Gemini Awards in 1992 for the television film Getting Married in Buffalo Jump,[7] and won the award for Riverdale at the 14th Gemini Awards in 1999, several months after her death.[8]