Marilyn Joan (Spady) McAllister

She was predeceased by our father, her husband of 53 years, Don in 2024. They were both very much looking forward to being reunited with their loved and very missed dog Maggie.

She was a beauty from the start, a little girl with silky brown hair and hazel brown eyes. The eldest of 4, she would guide her younger sisters with strong opinions, fierce love, sage advice and often sought wisdom. Her creative and quick mind served her well and allowed her to go on to become a nurse and continue to serve all those who sought support and advice long after her retirement.

She was an artist who was constantly creating, limited only by her body but never her inspiration. She was a story creator and always had new works rolling around in her mind. There was nothing she wouldn’t try, and every challenge was an opportunity to create from. Marilyn’s talents were endless, from the quilts her grandchildren wrap themselves in at night to the clothing and toys she made her own children. Things that were never fully appreciated at the time but now we look back with great admiration and gratitude for the beauty she surrounded our lives in.

Her artistry included fine needle and fibre art, always trying new and more difficult challenges. She has gifted so many crochet and knit blankets and clothing as well as mastering fine porcelain dolls. At one point she joined her good friends to work at the Stitchin’ Post to support her fibre art endeavours, which led to even more creations and friends to collaborate with.

Big projects didn’t stop her when inspiration struck, from furniture restoration to her constant renovations and re-decorating. Her husband grew to find the humour in coming home from work to find a toilet in the living-room and an apparent bathroom reno in progress. She created so many gifts that her loved ones will always have to cherish her by. She was a fierce woman who loved deeply and fought hard for her convictions. She strived to let others know they were loved and perfect exactly as they are and that she was in their corner. The words of love we have received since her passing confirm that she was successful.

Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, William (Bill) and Ruth (nee Edgar) Spady, her beloved Aunts Mary (nee Edgar) Walker and Pauline (nee Spady) Carson and Uncle Robert (Bob) Walker. She is survived by; her two children and their partners who she loved as her own, Issabel (Owen) Temple and Robert (Angie) McAllister. Six grandchildren by birth and love, Shane Temple (Kristan Folstrom), Emily Lucier, Aidan McAllister, Liam McAllister, Connor Temple, Gavin Temple and her first great-grandchild Renly Temple and her big sister Riley Myette Kebble-White; her best friends and sisters and their families, Judy (Peter) Armstrong, Jeannie (Larry) Thiessen, and June (Brent) Jespersen. Nieces and nephews Lisa (Adam) Hill, Andrew (Greg Trott) Jespersen, Ben (Haylee) Jespersen, Nathan (Laura) Jespersen, Brian Armstrong, Jeff (Sam)Thiessen, Jen (Riley Gilarneau) Thiessen, Karley (Jake) Sudyka. Marilyn is also survived by her amazing cousins and lifelong friends Paulette Bates, Nancy (Tim) Pasquill and Craig (Karen) Walker; a close friend of 57 years, Shirley Selinger; her incredible neighbours and friends of over 50 years, Rick and Norma Shalansky and Nancy Toby and the new friends she made in her current home with a special hug to Martha.

The staff at Evergreen made her life so much easier and joyful, where stops at the front desk brightened her day; Home Care nurses she quickly grew close to, and the nurses and Palliative Care Doctors at South Health Campus that made her final days as comfortable as possible and supported her family in the kindest ways.

She is already missed so deeply but her words and art will live on in everyone that knew her.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made directly to Skipping Stone at skippingstone.ca.