on friday afternoon september 12, 2008, dewar was rushed to a toronto hospital after suffering a serious fall and subsequent brain hemorrhage. she was in toronto attending the 2008 toronto international film festival. her son paul dewar interrupted his 2008 re-election bid to travel and be by her side with other family members, but on september 15 marion dewar died. on that day the city of ottawa lowered civic flags outside ottawa city hall in her memory. she would return to ottawa city hall for the last time to lie in state in the jean pigott hall until her funeral service on september 19. among the over 800 people attending the public service were notable politicians including ontario premier dalton mcguinty.