Obituary for Marilyn Leslie Marnoch
On Friday May 14, 2021 Marilyn Leslie Marnoch, wife, mother and Amma passed away at the age of 71.
Marilyn was born on January 7, 1950 in Winnipeg to Arthur Leslie and Lilja Elin Moore. She grew up in the West End first on Arlington St. with her parents, her brother and her afi, then in what would become her forever home on Spruce St. From birth, Marilyn learned the Icelandic custom of surrounding yourself with as much family as you can fit in your home. In her younger years, Marilyn and her brother Harold would return home everyday to her mother, father, aunts and afi sipping kaffi and eating ponnokokur and kleinur.
Marilyn attended Clifton and Sargent Park Schools before joining the Theatre and Broadcast program at Tec Voc High School. Attending Tec Voc with her best friends Donna, Jackie, Pam and Virginia, Marilyn pursued her passions for art and music by creating costumes and sets for school productions as well as playing on the Winnipeg coffee house scene with lifelong friend, Donna’s brother Bobby Stahr. Marilyn, Bobby, Roldo Lake, AL Racketti and Jackie (Cooper) then formed the Incandescent Saffron Jug band with Paul Jackson, Charlie Wellbanks, John Paul Charowski and Don Zueff. Through the Winnipeg music scene over the next several years, Marilyn became connected with many lifelong friends. Her cousin Sigrid met her husband Don Zueff through these connections. It was Don and Sigrid who first made sure that Marilyn connected with the love of her life, Jim Marnoch. Jim and his brother Dave had formed the Chicken Flats String Band with Don and John Paul, later Ed Smith and Dennis Faraci. (+ Ross Bliss, Don Doerksen and Alistair Denet.)
After a few years of courtship, Marilyn and Jim married in 1980 and soon began their family. Marilyn and Jim welcomed James Jr. in 1981 and Leslie in 1985. For 6 years, Marilyn and Jim raised Jimmy and Leslie on College Avenue, in a duplex with Jim’s brothers Dave and for awhile Neil. In 1987, expecting their third child, Marilyn, Jim and the two kids moved to their dream home on Ingersoll St. in the West End. However, just before the move and Keli’s arrival, Marilyn tragically lost her brother Harold to cancer. Marilyn was so proud of Harold’s art including mannequins and displays for Eaton’s, the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade, the Manitoba Museum, as well as Selkirk’s famous Chuck the Channel Cat. He also contributed to panoramic displays in Parks Canada sites, notably Lower Fort Garry and Batoche. Most of all, Marilyn loved Harold’s wife Tanis and daughter Leah. After Harold’s passing, Marilyn made sure to bring her family out to Tanis and Leah on the farm in Arnes, creating great memories for both families.
The Marnoch’s made 881 Ingersoll Street their home, welcoming their youngest son Keli in 1987. At Ingersoll, special occasions were huge with Marilyn hosting both sides of the family every Boxing Day for Christmas celebrations. It was on special occasions like this that Marilyn shone. Hustling around the house, keeping every plate full and coffee cup warm. In the background was the family Christmas tree, decorated with Marilyn’s famous salt dough ornaments and home-made stockings. Marilyn was an accomplished artist and extremely creative person and her talent shone through in her creations for her family. There were clothes of course and some stunning Halloween costumes.
The family’s seven year chapter at Ingersoll ended when Marilyn and the family moved in with her mom Lilja, after her father Les passed. This move spoke to Marilyn’s love for her family, and taught her children the valuable lesson that you always do everything that you can for your family. The family gatherings continued at Spruce St. and Marilyn continued to welcome and often babysit friends of her children. Days without the kids having friends over were rare. She loved a full house.
Once Keli reached school age, Marilyn began a new career as an Educational Assistant in Kindergarten at Sargent Park School. She nurtured hundreds of children over the years, and glowed when regaling her family in the evenings about all of the adventures in the classroom. Marilyn utilized her artistic creativity by creating many learning resources for the classrooms in which she worked. She established an inspired and fruitful partnership over 15 years with Kindergarten teacher Ollie Pointon. For one particular project, the Alfie Alphabet series, she designed and sewed 26 puppets - one for each letter of the alphabet - to which she devoted countless hours perfecting. The puppets and accompanying books, illustrated by her, helped countless students learn to read in her beloved Kindergarten classroom. This project came to be known around the Winnipeg School Division but Marilyn declined recognition. What was important to her was that she could help Ollie this way.
In the evenings, Marilyn devoted all her time to her children, preparing dinner before sending them off to hockey, soccer and whatever interests they were pursuing. Marilyn also made it to almost every one of her three children’s games, quietly cheering and squeezing Jim’s arm when the action got intense.
Marilyn continued her career in education until January 2015, when she retired at age 65. Jim soon followed her into retirement and the two were able to enjoy their summers out in Gimli with the family dog Solli. Most weekends they would welcome their children and several of their friends to the cottage, filling the yard with tents. Most nights, friends of the kids would disappear into the cottage for hours on end, sitting listening to Marilyn tell stories of her young adventures in that very same place. Marilyn lived for people to enjoy and feel welcome in her company.
It was at this time that she began to develop dementia, and it was time for the forever caregiver to so many, to be cared for. For the next 6 years, Marilyn kept her beautiful smile and infectious laugh. Even though details and memories became muddled, Marilyn still expressed joy when welcoming visitors to the house and cottage by throwing her arms out for a hug from anyone who came to visit. This continued expression of love spoke to the kind hearted nature that defined her.
Marilyn’s commitment to education and community lives on through her children. Her oldest son Jimmy served several years as General Manager of Valour Community Centre and continues to serve the community in his current career, while daughter Leslie and son Keli are now teachers in Winnipeg.
As mobility and memory became more difficult, Marilyn still loved a good long walk with her love Jim and dog Solli. They loved visiting all the city parks, walking trails and adventuring out to small towns and settlements around the Interlake. On these trips, Marilyn would share great memories of growing up in Manitoba with droves of extended family. Jim and the kids will continue these adventures with the next generation of Marilyn’s grandchildren, knowing that their Amma is right there with them.
Marilyn will be missed by her husband Jim, their son Jimmy (Marie) and grandchildren Elise and J.D., daughter Leslie, and son Keli (Sarah). She will also be missed by her whole family and extended family, including sister-in-law Tanis Moore, niece Leah (Matt), cousin Sigrid Zueff (Don), nephews Stefan (Diana), Eric (Shannon), and Heather (Craig), brother-in-law Dave Marnoch, brother-in-law Ian Marnoch (Lorelee), niece Karlee (Lyle), and nephews Andrew (Kate) and Ian Paul (Leyna), brother-in-law Neil Marnoch (Chris), niece Jaime (Luc), and nephews Evan (Candace) and Colin (Brynne), as well as many grand nieces and nephews. All of these people were so special to Marilyn.
Mamma, we know you’re watching over us, and we will take note of every sign and piece of magical hint you give us. We love you, miss you like crazy but are cherishing everyday we got to share with you, every moment we got to see you smile, and everytime you told us how much you love us.
To all her family and friends, cremation will occur and we will plan a celebration with her in the yard at Gimli, when circumstances allow, sometime in the summer. We’d love to spend some time with you all and we’ll keep in touch. Thank you for everything you meant to her.
Please consider donations to the Main Street Project so that the comfort and care she gave can be extended to others.
Bless elsku Amma
Bless elsku Mamma
Bless elskan min
Góða nótt
Allir heima nuna
Marilyn was born on January 7, 1950 in Winnipeg to Arthur Leslie and Lilja Elin Moore. She grew up in the West End first on Arlington St. with her parents, her brother and her afi, then in what would become her forever home on Spruce St. From birth, Marilyn learned the Icelandic custom of surrounding yourself with as much family as you can fit in your home. In her younger years, Marilyn and her brother Harold would return home everyday to her mother, father, aunts and afi sipping kaffi and eating ponnokokur and kleinur.
Marilyn attended Clifton and Sargent Park Schools before joining the Theatre and Broadcast program at Tec Voc High School. Attending Tec Voc with her best friends Donna, Jackie, Pam and Virginia, Marilyn pursued her passions for art and music by creating costumes and sets for school productions as well as playing on the Winnipeg coffee house scene with lifelong friend, Donna’s brother Bobby Stahr. Marilyn, Bobby, Roldo Lake, AL Racketti and Jackie (Cooper) then formed the Incandescent Saffron Jug band with Paul Jackson, Charlie Wellbanks, John Paul Charowski and Don Zueff. Through the Winnipeg music scene over the next several years, Marilyn became connected with many lifelong friends. Her cousin Sigrid met her husband Don Zueff through these connections. It was Don and Sigrid who first made sure that Marilyn connected with the love of her life, Jim Marnoch. Jim and his brother Dave had formed the Chicken Flats String Band with Don and John Paul, later Ed Smith and Dennis Faraci. (+ Ross Bliss, Don Doerksen and Alistair Denet.)
After a few years of courtship, Marilyn and Jim married in 1980 and soon began their family. Marilyn and Jim welcomed James Jr. in 1981 and Leslie in 1985. For 6 years, Marilyn and Jim raised Jimmy and Leslie on College Avenue, in a duplex with Jim’s brothers Dave and for awhile Neil. In 1987, expecting their third child, Marilyn, Jim and the two kids moved to their dream home on Ingersoll St. in the West End. However, just before the move and Keli’s arrival, Marilyn tragically lost her brother Harold to cancer. Marilyn was so proud of Harold’s art including mannequins and displays for Eaton’s, the Eaton's Santa Claus Parade, the Manitoba Museum, as well as Selkirk’s famous Chuck the Channel Cat. He also contributed to panoramic displays in Parks Canada sites, notably Lower Fort Garry and Batoche. Most of all, Marilyn loved Harold’s wife Tanis and daughter Leah. After Harold’s passing, Marilyn made sure to bring her family out to Tanis and Leah on the farm in Arnes, creating great memories for both families.
The Marnoch’s made 881 Ingersoll Street their home, welcoming their youngest son Keli in 1987. At Ingersoll, special occasions were huge with Marilyn hosting both sides of the family every Boxing Day for Christmas celebrations. It was on special occasions like this that Marilyn shone. Hustling around the house, keeping every plate full and coffee cup warm. In the background was the family Christmas tree, decorated with Marilyn’s famous salt dough ornaments and home-made stockings. Marilyn was an accomplished artist and extremely creative person and her talent shone through in her creations for her family. There were clothes of course and some stunning Halloween costumes.
The family’s seven year chapter at Ingersoll ended when Marilyn and the family moved in with her mom Lilja, after her father Les passed. This move spoke to Marilyn’s love for her family, and taught her children the valuable lesson that you always do everything that you can for your family. The family gatherings continued at Spruce St. and Marilyn continued to welcome and often babysit friends of her children. Days without the kids having friends over were rare. She loved a full house.
Once Keli reached school age, Marilyn began a new career as an Educational Assistant in Kindergarten at Sargent Park School. She nurtured hundreds of children over the years, and glowed when regaling her family in the evenings about all of the adventures in the classroom. Marilyn utilized her artistic creativity by creating many learning resources for the classrooms in which she worked. She established an inspired and fruitful partnership over 15 years with Kindergarten teacher Ollie Pointon. For one particular project, the Alfie Alphabet series, she designed and sewed 26 puppets - one for each letter of the alphabet - to which she devoted countless hours perfecting. The puppets and accompanying books, illustrated by her, helped countless students learn to read in her beloved Kindergarten classroom. This project came to be known around the Winnipeg School Division but Marilyn declined recognition. What was important to her was that she could help Ollie this way.
In the evenings, Marilyn devoted all her time to her children, preparing dinner before sending them off to hockey, soccer and whatever interests they were pursuing. Marilyn also made it to almost every one of her three children’s games, quietly cheering and squeezing Jim’s arm when the action got intense.
Marilyn continued her career in education until January 2015, when she retired at age 65. Jim soon followed her into retirement and the two were able to enjoy their summers out in Gimli with the family dog Solli. Most weekends they would welcome their children and several of their friends to the cottage, filling the yard with tents. Most nights, friends of the kids would disappear into the cottage for hours on end, sitting listening to Marilyn tell stories of her young adventures in that very same place. Marilyn lived for people to enjoy and feel welcome in her company.
It was at this time that she began to develop dementia, and it was time for the forever caregiver to so many, to be cared for. For the next 6 years, Marilyn kept her beautiful smile and infectious laugh. Even though details and memories became muddled, Marilyn still expressed joy when welcoming visitors to the house and cottage by throwing her arms out for a hug from anyone who came to visit. This continued expression of love spoke to the kind hearted nature that defined her.
Marilyn’s commitment to education and community lives on through her children. Her oldest son Jimmy served several years as General Manager of Valour Community Centre and continues to serve the community in his current career, while daughter Leslie and son Keli are now teachers in Winnipeg.
As mobility and memory became more difficult, Marilyn still loved a good long walk with her love Jim and dog Solli. They loved visiting all the city parks, walking trails and adventuring out to small towns and settlements around the Interlake. On these trips, Marilyn would share great memories of growing up in Manitoba with droves of extended family. Jim and the kids will continue these adventures with the next generation of Marilyn’s grandchildren, knowing that their Amma is right there with them.
Marilyn will be missed by her husband Jim, their son Jimmy (Marie) and grandchildren Elise and J.D., daughter Leslie, and son Keli (Sarah). She will also be missed by her whole family and extended family, including sister-in-law Tanis Moore, niece Leah (Matt), cousin Sigrid Zueff (Don), nephews Stefan (Diana), Eric (Shannon), and Heather (Craig), brother-in-law Dave Marnoch, brother-in-law Ian Marnoch (Lorelee), niece Karlee (Lyle), and nephews Andrew (Kate) and Ian Paul (Leyna), brother-in-law Neil Marnoch (Chris), niece Jaime (Luc), and nephews Evan (Candace) and Colin (Brynne), as well as many grand nieces and nephews. All of these people were so special to Marilyn.
Mamma, we know you’re watching over us, and we will take note of every sign and piece of magical hint you give us. We love you, miss you like crazy but are cherishing everyday we got to share with you, every moment we got to see you smile, and everytime you told us how much you love us.
To all her family and friends, cremation will occur and we will plan a celebration with her in the yard at Gimli, when circumstances allow, sometime in the summer. We’d love to spend some time with you all and we’ll keep in touch. Thank you for everything you meant to her.
Please consider donations to the Main Street Project so that the comfort and care she gave can be extended to others.
Bless elsku Amma
Bless elsku Mamma
Bless elskan min
Góða nótt
Allir heima nuna