Marilyn Thorndycraft

Marilyn Thorndycraft passed away on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.

Marilyn's life was a beautiful blend of music, friendship, and service. Born in Canada, she grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, where her gift as a performer shone brightly. She and her sister Dani performed in the Orion Musical Theatre community alongside rising stars like Robert Goulet and Tommy Banks.

While playing the lead in South Pacific, a dashing young Mountie named Murray Thorndycraft sat in the audience and was captivated. They married in 1957 and began their life together with a sense of adventure and devotion that never wavered. Before long, children Traci, Tom, and Lisa rounded out the family, bringing joy and energy to every chapter that followed.

Together, Marilyn and Murray's path took them across the country, from Winnipeg to Saskatoon to Toronto, then on to Des Moines, Iowa, where she worked as membership director at the downtown YMCA.

Their journey continued to Timonium, Maryland, Appleton and Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, before finally settling in Punta Gorda, Florida in 1997.Everywhere she lived, Marilyn made friends easily, gave back generously, and left communities stronger than when she found them.

In Punta Gorda, her contributions were many. After Hurricane Charley, she commissioned the Spirit of Punta Gorda sculpture, a lasting symbol of resilience along the Harborwalk at Laishley Park. She launched Gallery Walk, a lively weekly evening that continues to support downtown businesses.

On New Year's Eve thirteen years ago, she gathered ten of her fellow Mariner Boating Club friends at Gilchrist Park to blow conch shells at sunset, a simple gesture of joy and renewal that has grown into a beloved annual tradition drawing hundreds. Together with Murray, she was honored by the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association for her contributions to community life.

Marilyn's happiest times were spent with friends and family. She treasured her adventures with the Mariner Boating Club and the circle of best buddies it brought her, Ginny, Chris, Mary, Denny, Demetri and Nicean, and Cheryl.

In her final years, she made her home at Brookdale, where the staff and residents became like family. The family wishes to give special thanks to Mikey for the love and kindness shown to Marilyn.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Murray, her son Tom, her parents Earl and Molly Dingle, her sisters Dani Mashford and Molly Ann Forster, and her brother-in-law Jim Forster.

She is survived by her loving daughters Traci (Scott) Hegland and Lisa (Bob) Heid, her brother-in-law Cliff Mashford, grandchildren Madison (Dave) Ingalls, Peter Heid, Rachel (Travis) Beutler, Olivia (Anthony) Busalacchi, and a circle of countless friends who will carry her spirit forward.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to honor Marilyn's legacy by donating to a community service organization of your choice. A Celebration of Marilyn's Life will be held on Wednesday, December 31 at Gilchrist Park, where family and friends will gather at sunset to blow conch shells, a tradition Marilyn herself began to mark the turning of the year.

This year, it will be both a continuation of that joyful tradition and a heartfelt sendoff to a woman whose spirit will forever echo in the community she loved.

Everywhere Marilyn lived, she left behind joy, beauty, and lasting connections. Her music, her smile, and her legacy of service will never be forgotten.