Thursday August 15th 2019
Marilyn Joy Elliot, age 86, passed peacefully away on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at 21:22 at Lakeridge Hospital, Bowmanville surrounded by her loving family. Marilyn was born in Warwick on March 14, 1933, the youngest child and only daughter of Lola Madelyn (nee Taylor) and Harold W. Cosens. Her brother Norman, born 1921, (m. Gladys Stewart) predeceased her on August 18, 2014. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, John Elliot, and their 3 daughters Susan, Nancy, and Deborah, son-in-law Matthew, James Beatty, and grandchildren, Sydney, Sandy, Meaghan, and Kyra.
Marilyn graduated from London Teacher’s College, originally teaching in Warwick at S.S. No 15 and then at St. George’s School in London Ontario. Marilyn met her future husband, John, in Port Franks when she answered John’s knock on the door of the Cosens’ cottage. He wanted to know where he could berth his boat, noting that the property backed directly onto Lake Huron. The two were married on August 18, 1956 in Parkhill at “Maple Shade Farm” the sprawling estate of her Uncle Bryden Taylor. The bride wore a floor length gown of nylon sheer with Guipure lace outlining the portrait neckline, and a matching lace headdress held the fingertip veil of French Illusion. The couple moved to Port Hope where from 1957 Marilyn taught Grade 2 at Howard Jordan Public School (now the site of Ganaraska Trail P.S.) until the birth of their first child in 1963. Her name is among those of the original staff recorded on the Time Capsule laid in the foundation in 1958. Marilyn returned full time to Howard Jordan P.S. in 1974. She continued to seek higher qualifications throughout her long career, and eventually taught Special Education throughout Northumberland Region. The Council for Exceptional Children in Peterborough recognized her achievements with an award for her service and dedication in the field of special education. Toward the end of her teaching tenure she turned to Library Science and by the time she retired in 1996, she had been Librarian at Mervyn Greer School in Cobourg for several years, rebuilding their entire collection following a devastating fire in the early 1990s. In 1997 The Northumberland- Clarington Board of Education awarded her the “Leader in Learning” Award in recognition of her exceptional dedication. Her daughters credit her for instilling in them the importance of education and the importance to strive for excellence in all endeavors whether scientific or creative.
Marilyn herself was a very creative person, and enjoyed photography, reading, art and handicrafts. She loved her cats, Charlie and Magu, nursing both into their 20s. She was active in the historical community of Port Hope: she was a member of Dorothy’s House, and she received a ten-year service award from the Municipality for her volunteer dedication in June 2006. Marilyn was fiercely devoted to the sport of curling and everyone knew to never try to reach her on the phone during a major televised tournament. Her greatest regret later in her life was the dimming of her eyesight that prevented her continued visual enjoyment. Her garden was her summer passion, and she was saddened at not being able to maintain it to her standard. She missed reading most of all, but she continued to paint. Although intensely independent and devoted to her house of 60 years, in November 2017 Marilyn moved to the vibrant community of Bowmanville Creek Retirement Residence. Unfortunately, John was unable to accompany her and he now resides in Port Hope Extendicare. In Bowmanville, as one of their inaugural residents, she made many new friends and was very happy. In recent months she struggled increasingly with her health challenges, and more limited mobility. Faced with loss of her own independence, Marilyn courageously chose her own path in her final days, surrounded and supported by her loving children.
A memorial to celebrate Marilyn’s life will be held in Port Hope Union Cemetery on September 14, 2019, at 11:00 am. All friends welcome.
Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep, I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sunlight on the ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there; I did not die. – Mary Elizabeth Frye.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Marilyn Joy Elliot..
Décès pour la Ville:Port-Hope, Province: Ontario