Marilynn Jean Wood BSN, MPH, Dr.PH

(October 4, 1936 – September 5, 2025) It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Marilynn Jean Wood, BSN, MPH, Dr.PH, Professor and Dean Emerita of the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, and founding Dean of the School of Nursing, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA. Born October 4, 1936, in Vancouver, BC, Marnie was the only daughter of Catherine Zelpha (Murray) Wood and Alexander Wood. Predeceased by her brother Ian Wood in 2024, she is survived by nieces Laura Wood Richter (Kevin) and Kate Wood (Adrian), nephew Murray Wood (Brett), grand-nieces Mairi and Manami, grand-nephews Keegan, Takara and Angus, as well as many cousins, friends and extended family. Marnie's early life was steeped in Scottish tradition, highland dancing and bagpipe playing, later performing with the UBC pipe band. She found joy in music, performing and touring the UK with the famed BC Elgar Choir in her youth and later resuming playing the violin with the Wye String Ensemble. After earning her BSN at UBC, she became a staff nurse at Vancouver General Hospital before moving to California, where she was appointed Assistant Head Nurse, UCLA Center for Health Sciences. She completed her MPH at UCLA, following which she was Regional Administrator of California Home Health Services in Hollywood, and then Coordinator of staff development at Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Van Nuys, California. Completing her DrPH at UCLA, she was appointed Assistant Professor, UCLA School of Nursing, where she published several leading textbooks. In 1979, as founding Dean of the School of Nursing at Azusa Pacific University, she established basic and graduate programs in nursing. Returning to Canada in 1987 as Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, her vision, leadership, and commitment to collaboration transformed the faculty and advanced nursing education nationwide. A tireless advocate for research, she was instrumental in guiding the Alberta Foundation for Nursing Research and she spearheaded the creation of Canada's first doctoral program in nursing, having mounted a campaign to secure its funding. Under her leadership, Alberta's nursing scholars became nationally and internationally recognized for excellence in funded research. She also served as editor of the Western Journal of Nursing Research and authored numerous texts that shaped nursing education for generations. Marnie championed innovation in education, from merging and strengthening northern Alberta nursing programs to fostering international collaboration, including a lasting partnership with the Department of Nursing in Ghana. At the University of Alberta, she was a founding member and Chair of the Coordinating Council of Health Sciences, advancing interdisciplinary education across health faculties. Honours include the Outstanding Faculty Award conferred by graduate students, UCLA: the Ethel Johns Award of the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing, Honorary Life Membership in Western Region CASN, and the UBC School of Nursing Alumni Award of Distinction. The University of Alberta lowered its banner in her honour from the 10th – 12th of September 2025, recognizing her profound impact on the institution and the profession. Beyond academia, Marnie was widely respected in the cocker spaniel community as an exemplary breeder. Through her Braewood Kennels, she bred, showed, and loved generations of champion dogs, a number of whom earned top honours and the rare distinction of the Best in Show award. She was recognized as a Breeder of Merit and granted the Annalie Gabrielson Memorial Award of the American Cocker Spaniel Club of Canada. After retirement, Marnie continued to travel extensively, pursue her love of music, and remain deeply engaged with the communities she cherished. She will be remembered as a trailblazer in nursing education and research, a gifted mentor, a devoted family member, and a woman of vision, generosity, and spirit - whose legacy will endure in the many lives she touched. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., at Park Memorial Chapel, 9709 - 111 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB. To view a livestream of the service, please visit www.parkmemorial.com and select "Webcasting" from Marilynn's Book of Memories. Donations may be made to the Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta or a charity of one's choice. Photos, memories, and condolences may be shared through www.parkmemorial.com. Park Memorial Edmonton 780-426-0050 Family Owned Funeral Home Crematorium, Reception Centre