Marilyn Isabel Swan

As a child Marilyn was a member of the Girl Guides and enjoyed playing the piano. She also completed 2 years of High School at G.C.I. & V.S and graduated in 1946, her favourite class was typing. Marilyn had a number of friends while growing up Bev Dingwall, Margaret Wilkinson, Marge Johns, Nora Spencer and Lorraine Jackson and Dorothy Holland to name a few.

In 1975 Marilyn married Earl Swan at the Kirkwall Presbyterian Church the blended family of 9 children Ralston, Cindy, Christopher predeceased by Wayne and Step-children Marlene, Ralph, Ruth, Jean predeceased by Ernie. Marilyn had 13 grandchildren Kimberley, Jennifer, Allison, Tara, Dylan, Melissa, Pamela, Chantel, Brandon, Theresa, Len, Morgan and Tyler.

Marilyn keep busy with many crafts, sewing and knitting. Marilyn was also a proud member of TOPS, Family Campers and RVers, Wandering Canadians where she was served as co-president and secretary and received may awards for her time and dedication. Marilyn loved to travel with Earl to visit family in British Columbia, Alberta and Florida, Dusty the cat went on any camping trips with them from Coast to Coast in Canada also to many states including New York, California, Washington and Maine.

Marilyn fought a brave battle with cancer and passed away at home in her own bed surrounded by loved ones. Services were held at T. Little Funeral Home, Cambridge with her final resting place at Mountview Cemetery in Cambridge, Columbarium North Section niche 22.

Eulogy delivered with love by Avril

Many years ago, Marilyn's mother told me that when she was born, Marilyn had the most beautiful head of dark hair she had ever seen.

Born in the house on East St., a couple of blocks from here: Marilyn never lived very far away from home. Her love of camping took her all across Canada, coast to coast and into many States.

As a young girl "Zeke" as she was nicknamed by her friends walked 4 miles to school every day.. By the time much younger brother Ed came along, Marilyn was soon going to be leaving GCI and entering the working world at Newlands.

She loved to knit, sew, garden and make crafts. She was famous for her chocolate, candy, mincemeat, raisin bread and plum pudding. She taught the daughters and granddaughters how to bake and make crafts.

Marilyn and sister Shirley were best friends; and after they both married this friendship kept them close. Shirley, she has come to the end of this road. For this is a journey we must all take and each must go alone. Miss her, but let her go.

Marilyn was the mother of 4 children Wayne (deceased) Ralston, Cindy and Chris, later she became a step-mom to Ernie (deceased), Marlene, Ralph, Ruth and Jean.

Marilyn and Earl's home is filled with pictures, pictures and lots of pictures....of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Marilyn loved to collect pictures and if there were any pictures that were not identified on the back, Marilyn would go to every length to find out who they were and with that passion, she created the Aves archives. She worked hard to knit all the families together.

Marilyn might have been the person you befriended at the TOPS group and you got talking with her about this and that her interests and FAMILY.

Marilyn might have been the person you befriended at one of the 5 " Camp Ventions" the Ontario Chapter organized for hundreds of attendees....and you would have heard about her FAMILY

If your children were ever babysat once upon a time by Marilyn or you are a neighbour. You would have known of her incredible sense of commitment to kids and how she treated them...like FAMILY

If you are blessed enough to be a part of Marilyn's FAMILY. You know how SPECIAL you are to her. She is proud of your birth, your life, your loves and your achievements!

To: Alison, Pam, Melissa, Kim, Jenny, Tyler and all the grandkids and Sydney I hope you know how proud your Grandma is of who you are today.

To: Ralph, Jean, Ruth and Marlene; you have brought her so much pride, love and joy.

Marilyn understand the importance of celebrations and to help celebrate she would lovingly bake you a birthday cake, make your special dinner and give you a special card and always a thoughtful present.

The night before her passing, Marilyn had a laugh with Smokey and Cindy about what granddaughter Jennifer said "Grandma you are one tough cookie". Jenny you are absolutely right.

A quote from a poem:

When tomorrow starts without me, and I am not here to see

If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me

I know how much you love me as much as I love you,

And each time you think of me I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me please try to understand

That Jesus came and called my name and took me by the hand"

Ed and Shirley, your sister will always love you.

Earl, your wife will always be right there in your heart

Smokey, Chris and Cindy your mother's strength, beauty and love will always hold you close.

May the God of all Grace who guided her through life and called her to His Eternal glory bring her into his Kingdom with loving arms.

She suffered through pain and hardship, determined every step of the way to be true to those she loved.

May He make her spirit whole and Bless those that she held in her heart and those that keep her in theirs, Amen.

A message from Cindy on the day she went home to BC

Earl, it is with an extremely heavy heart that I'm leaving today. These are the words that I know won't get spoken because you know me and my tears. Good byes are so difficult.

Thanks so much for being in our lives. You brought out the very best in Mom and were the best part of her life. I was so happy you two met and built a life together. You were a father to me that I never really had and for that I thank you. Mom may be gone but you are still and will be a big part of our lives. I will miss Mom so much, I hope you carry on alright. You have a wide network of loved ones to help you through what will be a very difficult time for a long time to come. You're a very strong man who looked after, cared and loved Mom through her battle and thanks doesn't even begin to cover what I would like to say.

God only knows the hole that's in our hearts and the emptiness felt with the passing of Mom, but she would want us to carry on, be strong and enjoy life. While we won't be here, we are only a phone call or e-mail away. We are family and as such stick together and love each other.

All our love , Now and Always, Cindy and Terry

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In her 81st year after almost a year long battle with cancer, Marilyn passed peacefully at home with her loving husband Earl by her side on Friday, December 14, 2012. Cherished mother of “Smokey” Ralston (Carolyn) Gosse, Cindy (Terry) Pedersen, Chris Gosse, stepmother to Marlene Watson, Ralph (Gail) Swan, Ruth (Mark Hovan) Swan, Jean (Bill) Clark, loving grandmother of 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, sister of Shirley (Konrad) Keller, Ed (Avril) Aves and aunt of 2 nephews. Predeceased by parents Albert and Elsie Aves, son Wayne Gosse, stepson Ernie Swan and great-granddaughter Ayra Dapp. Marilyn was an active member of the Family Campers & RV'ers for 35 years as well as a member of the Wandering Canadians of Cambridge. Marilyn will be sadly missed by her family and many friends. Marilyn's family will receive relatives and friends at the T. LITTLE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 223 Main Street, Cambridge (519-623-1290) on Monday, December 17, 2012 from 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral services will be held in the chapel on Tuesday, December 18 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations to your charity of choice.