”In the Mystery of every season, may you discover with passion and share with compassion”. Words Marilyn lived by as well as wrote on her special cards. MC
Marilyn was born June 12,1951 in Kindersley, Sask, Toronto til 1955 where Don saved her from a kitty, which was actually a skunk, then Port Arthur til 1966, teen years in Chilliwack, which became her home base for life. Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, Betty and Gord Cram, and Nephew Trevor Nelmes. Survived by her siblings Don (Esther) Cram, Marcia (Doug) Wright, Heather (Gord) Leyen and Step Mom Annette Cram and Aunt Betty. Marilyn was so proud of her Nieces and Nephews, if skiing allowed she attended all their special occasions, lol. Lori (Joel), Daniel (Esther), Jodi (Norm), Jeremiah (Cherie), Andre, Grant (Nicole), Shane (Cadence) and Max and her surrogate niece Sarah. The Great Nephews and Nieces – Conor, Tyson, Cameron, Zhayra, Lily, Sage, Christianna, Evangelique’, Ethan, Wyatt, Maya and Anastasia. Karl Ricker became her devoted companion into her challenging later years. Her special cousin Fran sent countless letters and love over their whole lives. Marilyn was active, vibrant and passionate about life. Her family and friendships enriched her life while they shared their different passions together.
Growing up in Northern Ontario was wonderful: Trinity United Church, sewing, piano, ping pong, games, teaching Heather school, playing in McVicar Creek, berry picking, Quetico camping, canoeing, competitive swimming, water skiing, saunas, SNOW and lots of it, snow play, skiing, skating and ice fishing. Loved Hockey night on TV, and the movie Pollyanna was an attitude she lived by. Moving to BC was a new adventure, no snow at Christmas meant we had to find snow, our exploring took us to Silver Tip, Manning, Hemlock and Mt. Baker. Marilyn graduated at CSSS, lifeguarded and taught swimming to put herself through university. Mt. Baker became her mountain home with Dad & Mom, Steve & Dee, Brock (all previously deceased) Annette, Hannu & Bernie, Ben & June, Eric & Shirley, Phil and Liz Lang, Maelle (banked slalom) and Mika. Horne Lake was her summer home where she spent countless hours with her Wright family. Carmen United Church was her indoor place to worship, and God provided her outdoor church with Nature. She genuinely loved and explored as much of this beautiful country as she could and was proud to be a Canadian. A friend said “She had a heart as big as the outdoors she loved.”
A UBC grad in PT & OT. She made lifelong friends at UBC -Janna (deceased), Kathy, Melanie and Nonie. She practiced in Vancouver, did the challenging job with Canadian Arthritis CARS, a mobile program in the Prince George area, Vedder Physio with her wonderful friend Marilyn B, then private practice in Chwk focusing on home visits. To help fulfill her love of skiing, she worked for 4 winters in the Laundry for CMH – Hans (deceased) & Margaret and many staff including her new European friends Reingard and Anna. The harder she worked, the more heli-skiing vertical she enjoyed, and again helping others by playing the role of tail guide.
For over 20 years Marilyn was very fulfilled with her work as PT/OT with Student Services in Chilliwack where she gained well earned respect and admiration from her colleagues Alice, Donna, Edna, Jann, Linda, Nancy and Pat. At student services she was able to explore her passion for working with children with special needs and developed lasting relationships with many, Paul, Sarah, Elizabeth, Angel and countless others. INCLUSIVITY was always her goal. And, of course, the flexibility of her student services work allowed her to chase fresh snow days in winter and explore the wilderness in the summer. Retiring in June 2011.
Marilyn was a water baby from day one, she could not even be left alone near water as she crawled right in, she became a polar bear swimmer in the frigid waters of Lake Superior as a child, and took every opportunity to dip in glacial pools, rivers, lakes & oceans. Swimming in the Arctic Ocean, off Baffin Island, shores of Newfoundland and Halifax Bay, just a few spots in the Atlantic and the Pacific waters off Haida Gwaii, Vancouver Island, Pacific Northwest, and the warm ocean waters around Mexico and Hawaii. When she was not swimming, she paddled and paddled, with her last big paddle being the Thelon River, a remote 30day paddle. She annually participated in World Rivers Day. Her travels took her to Europe more than once, seeking her CMH mountain friends and sharing in their mountain adventures. Marilyn honed her back country skills ski touring, especially enjoying her Selkirk Mountain Experience family Reudi, Nicoline, Charlotte & Florina, and many other group trips combining touring and crosscountry skiing. Also walking, biking, hiking and paddling all over BC, from her neighbourhood Heron Reserve, to Haida Gwaii, Nootka Island, Vancouver Island and as many ranges in BC as she could. Carol and Karl’s research found that over 5 decades Marilyn had been on 130 trips and reached 139 mountain tops.
She was an honorary life member of the Chilliwack Outdoor Club and nurtured more special relationships – Christine M, Elly, Heinz & Emilee, Lydia, Marilyn B, Monica, Nora, Sheryl, Sylvia & Theo, Frank & Kate, the Grangers, Helen, Rayna, Ron, Ruth and MANY MANY more. BCMC friends Carol, Ellen, Evelyn, Jack, Karl and Liz to name a few, did many extreme trips and treks together. She was not a leader, but she was known for her amazing strength, stamina and positive outlook. Marilyn was a longtime member of the Nature Chilliwack – Helen, Janne and Rose, sharing slide shows, education and stewards of their property.
FAMILY TIME definitely was a major part of all seasons for Auntie Marilyn, from Auntie sitting, trips together, family dinners, reunions, ski days, hiking and water activities- paddling, skiing, synchronized swimming and free fun water play. She was proud to share her home, never tiring of her view or neighbourhood. She enjoyed so many things such as gardening, collecting hazelnuts, sewing, clothing exchanges, spinning, weaving, sketching, calligraphy, journaling, letter writing, rocks, flora & fauna, trees, birds, wildlife (all things outdoors) and photography. Marilyn created beautiful cards, writing heartfelt personal messages whether it was about loss or celebration. She combined her sketches and/or her photographs taking the recipients with her on her memorable adventures. She absolutely loved attending get-togethers from breakfast gatherings, tailgate picnics, potlucks, and formal celebrations. Marilyn wasn’t known for her cooking skills, but made wonderful rhubarb crisps, maybe a little shy on the sugar, always watching the calories. She loved music, dancing, singing, piano, and live theatre. She played a few bars on a keyboard a couple of weeks before she passed away. Don and Esther played piano, sang, and prayed with Marilyn via facetime through many months of the Pandemic. She shared a great respect for Indigenous cultures and learned about their various artforms and plants and their uses.
Willing to help whenever possible with family, friends, or strangers. Marilyn had a very strong faith and exemplified the qualities of love, kindness, sharing, and forgiveness. Her church family included dear friends Art (deceased) and Marg, Christine, Doug and Katie, Janne, Leone (deceased), Michelle, Rose, and Sylvie. Marilyn was always giving of herself, Cultus Lake Church camps, Carmen’s Junior Elders, Healing Pathway, outings with students, lending her home to others in need, trail repairs, equipment repairs, first aid skills, PT/OT advice and assisting in building of mountain huts.
Marilyn was Our Unique Gal. Timeless – composting in the 70’s, using reusable grocery bags, yoga (Ruby) and daily stretching in the 80’s and forever, always conscious of waste and consumption, a minimalist.
Ironically, Marilyn had a very good memory. Alzheimer’s slowly began before 2014, despite progressive symptoms she continued her adventures with Karl until she went into full time care in the Cheam Unit of Heritage Village January 2018. These last 3 years were never part of anyone’s plan. Thank goodness for the continued love and support from so many dear friends and family, even when reciprocation was simply no longer possible. A Big Thank You to ALL the caring staff at Heritage Village, Dr. Markey and Dr Wolfe. She surprised the staff with her agility in the beginning, and in time the Cheam Unit was home, where she would brighten the day with her gentle soul and big smile. Sadly, in the end, Marilyn’s illness had extinguished her bright eyes and wonderful smile. A SMILE is the simplest gift you can give others, and Marilyn’s BIG SMILE was unforgettable. We realize we have probably missed names, our apologies! We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the dozens of warm wishes that have been sent to Marilyn over the last few years and we are absolutely awestruck by ALL the beautiful condolences, stories, and photos that we have received over the last few weeks. THANK YOU ALL!
We hope to have a celebration of Life in June, it is possible this could be postponed.
Please consider a Donation in Marilyn’s memory to –
The Mission & Service Fund, United Church of Canada OR Carman United Church, ℅ Carman United Church,7258 Vedder Rd, Chilliwack, BC V2R4E4 or etransfer carmanus@telus.net
or Chilliwack Outdoors Club (no tax receipt), c/o #11-5960 Cowichan St., Chilliwack, BC V2R0L6 or etransfer membershipsecretarycoc@gmail.com
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence for the family.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Marilyn Louise Cram March 7th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Aldergrove, Province: Colombie britanique