Surrounded by family, Marilyn passed away peacefully at Lakeridge Health Oshawa on Thursday, June 6.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert David Marven, and her parents, Charles Dwight Powell and Mary Isabelle Powell.

She will be remembered by their three sons Murray (Diane), Grant (Cindy), and Craig (Kim), grandchildren Jessica, Robert, Ian, Scott, Alex, and Leah, her siblings Tom Powell and Evelyn Powell (Doug), her siblings by marriage and friendship, Liz (Zoltan), Anne, Frank, John (Kathy), Andy (Laura), Charlie (Cathy) and cousins, nieces and nephews.

Marilyn was born in Acme, Alberta, moved to Calgary, and grew up in nearby Nanton, Alberta, where her father Dwight Powell was the United Church minister and later the Mayor.

She loved skating on the frozen Alberta prairie ponds in winter, an interest that would last into her adult life within Ontario ice rinks. She also enjoyed playing the piano and singing, gifts and interests in music that lasted her lifetime.

When in grade 11, Marilyn met David through David’s sister Anne.

After highschool, she attended the University of Alberta, graduating in Physiotherapy in 1961.

Her classmates remain connected to this day. She married David in Edmonton in 1961. They moved to Winnipeg, and shortly thereafter, to Toronto, where their first son Murray Dwight Marven was born in 1963. Sons Grant Riley Marven (1965) and Craig William Marven (1968) were born after the family moved to Waterloo, where they stayed in the much loved red-brick bungalow for forty years.

As a physiotherapist, Marilyn worked for the Arthritis Society of Canada, and later opened a BioPed orthopaedic shoe store in Kitchener.

Times in Waterloo were filled with shuttling kids to hockey rinks in the winter, soccer fields in the summer, while also enjoying swimming in the backyard which was resplendent with her landscaping and extensive gardening skills.

An exceptional seamstress, she made clothes for her kids, grandchildren, and later even several wedding dresses. She loved her summer visits with family in Muskoka and Otter Lake, taking long swims or windsurfing, or just relaxing and reading. In Waterloo she also nurtured what became a life-long love of painting, producing many outstanding works which adorn the homes of friends and family.

As their kids began having kids of their own, Marilyn and David moved to their dream house in Oshawa in 2001 to be closer to the Whitby grandkids, and enjoyed frequent summer visits with Ian and family in Oshawa or Victoria.

She joined several choirs, and expanded her artistic interests to include stained glass window making and wood carving, again making many works that are showcased in homes of friends and family.

Always adventurous, Marilyn would try any activity her teenage grandkids would attempt, from treetop trekking to simulated skydiving. As grandkids became adults, Marilyn turned her focus to travel to far-off lands and produced and posted many travel videos of exotic locations.

A memorial service for Marilyn will be held at MOUNT LAWN FUNERAL HOME, 21 Garrard Road, Whitby on Tuesday, June 11th, beginning at 11:00a.m. with a reception to follow from 12:00 until 2:00p.m.. The memorial service will be live streamed to accommodate distant family and friends. Attending friends and family are asked to wear smart casual in colours, in keeping with Marilyn’s warm personality and love of vibrant living.

For those who will be attending the service via livestream, please register at the following link -
https://v2.forever.link/arbormemorial-mountlawn/marilyn-marven

Expressions of sympathy are welcomed.

If you wish, donations to The Backdoor Mission for the Relief of Poverty at 66 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa, ON L1H 4G3, or to the Arthritis Society of Canada would be appreciated.