Passed away on Monday, August 17th at North Shore Health Network, Thessalon Site. Born in Brighton Township, Ontario on December 21st, 1940, Marilyn attended teacher’s college and began teaching in elementary schools at the age of 18. Her first teaching post was a one-room school in Poplar Dale, Ontario. Subsequently, she taught for many years in Thessalon Township and in Thessalon, working with students across grade levels. While working, she returned to university for her Master’s degree and certificates in teaching special education to help meet the needs of her students. Teaching was her joy and she never missed an opportunity to catch up with students over the years. She was a trailblazer for equality in the teaching profession, even participating in not only the Federation of Women Teachers' Associations of Ontario, but also the Men Teachers’ Federation, since combined as the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario.
An avid and talented quilter, she helped form quilting guilds in Huron Shores and Sault Ste. Marie. Through her guild work, she was actively involved in quilt shows at which she displayed her own unique and creative works. She was also a member of the Sunnyside Women’s Institute; a 4-H member in her youth, she enthusiastically shared her love of crafts as a volunteer 4-H Leader in Huron Shores. She was a member of the Rebekahs and Eastern Star for many years, and she sang with Thessalon’s Sonshine Singers choir.
She is greatly missed by her husband, Donald, daughters Crystal (Alan) and Holly (Stéphane), and grandchildren, Julie and Nick.
The family thank the staff of Algoma Manor and the doctors at Thessalon Hospital and Sault Ste. Marie Hospital for their care of Marilyn during this recent chapter of her life. In lieu of a funeral, a celebration of life will be held when the Covid-19 pandemic has passed.
Donations in memory of Marilyn may be made to any of her cherished charities, importantly:
Scleroderma Research, Scleroderma Canada, https://www.scleroderma.ca/donate
Covenant House, Canada, https://covenanthousetoronto.ca/