(1933-2023)
It is with great sadness that the family of Marilyn Joan Quinn announce her passing at Eden House Care Facility on January 4th, 2023 in her 90th year. Born in Chalk River, Ontario on September 22, 1933, the daughter of Allan Frances Blimke and Theresa Ethyl Gunning, Marilyn attended Chalk River Public School, Pembroke Collegiate Institute and Ottawa Teachers’ College following which she taught for two years at Sydenham Public School in Kingston and one year at Bright’s Grove Public School in Lambton County.
Marilyn is lovingly remembered by Harold, her husband and soulmate of 66 years and by her sons: Bruce (Eunice Onuki),(ex Bette Anne MacKay of Barry’s Bay) of Burk’s Falls, Brian (Janice Peet) of Surrey, BC and Dale (Jennifer Boyd) of Campbellville. She was a loved and loving “Grandma” to Robert (Lisa Millson), James (Colleen van Tol), Grayden (Karlee Donovan), Jessica, Mason and Jacob and Great Grandma to Carter, Adam, Castle, Lauren and Hayley.
Marilyn was predeceased by her parents and by her brothers: Murray (late Mary), Dwayne (late Deanna) and Daryl (Lorna) and by her sister Vera (late Kenneth Zadow). She is survived and mourned by brothers: Lyn (late Bernice), Keith (Violet), and Wreyn (Nancy) and sisters: Feryn (Grant Bailey), Beryl (Graydon Knights), Judy (John Roe) and Heather (Wayne Beamish.). She is also fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews and close friends.
In 1956, she married Harold Wright Quinn and moved with him wherever his work with Dow Chemical Canada took him: Sarnia, Thornhill, Delta, BC and back to Sarnia. Upon retirement, they moved to Kingston, where they lived for 21 years prior to moving to Guelph to be closer to family. While raising her family, she also studied the piano and, in 1983, graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in children’s literature.
Marilyn was an enthusiastic volunteer with the Canadian Consumers’ Association and at the Gallery in the Grove while in Sarnia and with the Kingston Presbytery Resource Centre and a dedicated canvasser for the Canadian Cancer Society. A lifelong member of the United Church of Canada, she participated in the work of her congregation wherever she was living. Over the years, she was also an active bridge player, a member of numerous social bridge groups and an avid reader.
Her diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease in 2004 led to progressive disability, which she endured with great patience. In her latter years, dementia isolated her from her surroundings. The family wishes to thank the staff of Eden House Care Facility for the compassionate care which they have provided for the past 4 years.
A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held in the coming springtime at the Gilbert McIntyre and Son’s Funeral Home in Guelph,, after which her ashes will be inurned at the Quinn family gravesite in Harrowsmith, Ontario. Donations in her memory may be made to Parkinson’s Canada , to Dublin Street United Church, 68 Suffolk Street, Guelph, ON N1H 2J2 or to a charity of your choice.