Marilyn Patel

June 28, 1944 – May 17, 2026

It is with deep love and gentle hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Marilyn Patel on May 17, 2026. A resident of Ridgeway since 1988, Marilyn spent over half a century weaving her quiet warmth, patience, and grace into the fabric of her community and the lives of everyone who knew her.

Born in Leicestershire, England, on June 28, 1944, Marilyn carried a beautiful, old-fashioned charm with her throughout her life. She lived by her favourite philosophy — to "make do and mend" — finding beauty in simplicity and meeting life's challenges with quiet resilience and an endless capacity for tolerance. To know Marilyn was to experience a soothing, calm presence; she was a deeply spiritual and gentle soul who loved to meditate, sit quietly with nature, and live in harmony with the world around her. With an infectious smile and a tender heart that felt things deeply, Marilyn's greatest wish was always to bring comfort to others, never wanting to be a bother to anyone.

For many years, Marilyn and her beloved husband Ramesh were a familiar and cherished presence in the Ridgeway community, where they owned and operated the Ridge Laundromat on Ridge Road. It was a reflection of who they were: hardworking, dependable, and always there for their neighbours. She would go out of her way to help anyone in need, never asking for anything in return, and she found peace and joy in the simple beauty of the outdoors. She could often be found walking the Friendship Trail, taking in the sights and sounds of the nature she so dearly loved.

Above all, Marilyn had an extraordinary amount of love to give, and her family was her absolute pride and joy. She is survived by her daughter, Natalie; her son, Ashwin, and his wife, Carmella; her cherished grandchildren, Natasha and Jackson, and Carmella's children, Isabella and Hudson. She was the immensely proud great-grandmother of Nalina, and she also leaves behind her dear brother, Nick, his wife, Dawn, and their beloved family, Anna, Ria, Kloe, Josh, and Alfie.

She was predeceased by her deeply loved husband, Ramesh Patel, who passed away in 2015. Their connection remained unbroken by time, and those close to her knew that Ramesh was always in her thoughts, right up until her very last breath.

A gentle soul has returned to nature. While she will be profoundly missed, her calm spirit, her quiet generosity, and her everlasting smile will remain in our hearts forever.

Family and friends are warmly invited to a visitation at Williams Funeral Services in Ridgeway on Saturday, May 30th, from 2-4 pm.