Marilyn Doreen Stewart

1944 - 2022

April 18th, 1944 – February 9th, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marilyn Doreen Stewart on February 9th, 2022, in Thunder Bay, Ontario while surrounded by her loving family. Marilyn was a kind, generous, and loving soul who will be deeply missed by so many.

Marilyn was born on April 18th, 1944, in Toronto, Ontario to Dorothy Jean Linton and Dr. Kenneth McPherson. She grew up on Glenwood Crescent and fondly remembered close neighbourhood friends like John Watson and his family. She graduated from the University of Toronto with her BScN and RN in 1966. Her nursing career began in Toronto at Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital and continued throughout Ontario in Sioux Lookout, London, and in Thunder Bay, concluding her nursing career at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit where she worked for 27 years, developing a wonderful group of lifelong friends.

Always a devoted mother first and foremost, Marilyn said the loves of her life were born July 25th, 1972 (John Vernon Legge) and March 13th, 1974 (Stuart Pharon Legge) to her and Dr. David Legge.  During the boys' childhood, she was a woman who really did it all. She was a working mom who raised her boys with great love and affection. She travelled extensively with them to broaden their horizons in wonderful places like Greece, France, Mexico, Barbados, and China. She also supported her boys in their activities and during this busy time shuttling them to and from hockey games, she somehow also found the time to pursue degrees in Psychology and Sociology with additional courses in Anthropology. Marilyn always had a lifelong love of learning and encouraged and supported her entire family in their pursuit of education in every way she could.

On December 26th, 1980, she married Gerald William Stewart. He readily welcomed Marilyn's boys into the family and treated them like his own. He was a devoted husband to Marilyn until he passed on February 15th, 2004, after many illnesses.

Marilyn continued to expand upon her education through travel with the University of Waterloo Alumni, with friends, and with family. She spent time in Russia, Ireland, Kenya, Peru, Turkey, Nepal, and many more amazing places. Bridge became another source of enrichment for Marilyn's life during her retirement. She made many new friends, participated in numerous tournaments, and really enjoyed the challenge of learning new skills.

During the past 11 years, Marilyn developed a close friendship with Al Law, which also included an education on golf, baseball, football, and other sports. They helped each other in many ways and enjoyed time together eating out and watching movies.

It is obvious by the friend groups too numerous to mention here that Marilyn was a good and kind person who freely gave all her resources to helping others. She drove friends to bridge games, she took in stray animals, she encouraged and supported her family and friends at every stage of life, and she never ever asked for anything in return from anyone. She was never judgmental and helped people from all walks of life wherever she was. Marilyn made lifelong friendships everywhere she went.  She was a loving mother to her sons, a generous mother-in-law to John's wife Kim, a devoted and deeply cherished Nana to Jackson, and a good friend to so many. We are all better people because of Marilyn's influence in our lives.

Marilyn and her family want to express our deepest gratitude to all the doctors and nurses who took such good care of her during her illness.

At Marilyn's request, due to covid, there is no date for a funeral at this time. To honour Marilyn's memory, she asks you to be good and kind to each other. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Marilyn's favourite charity, the Canadian Wildlife Federation Inc. would be appreciated.