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Marilyn Anne Dowler, at the age of 81 passed away on June 15, 2022, peacefully in Penticton at Moog and Friends Hospice after her battle with cancer.
Marilyn was preceded by her mother Dolly Gough and Alec Gough. Marilyn is survived by her three children; Richard Simmons and his loving partner, Allison Symons (Paul Symons), and Pheona Cessford (Tim Cessford) and her four amazing grandchildren; Melissa and Nicholas Cessford, Linden and Wesley Symons. Marilyn had many cherished friends and was grateful for their friendship and support over the years.
Marilyn was born in Hedley, BC and as a small child moved to Oliver, BC with her parents, Dolly and Alec who had built and ran the Oliver Theatre. Marilyn grew up in Oliver and during her high school years was a May Day Princess and opened up the first thrift store in Oliver in the basement of the United Church. After graduating from South Okanagan Secondary School, she traveled Europe and then went to university in Vancouver to become a schoolteacher, getting her first teaching position in Mission, BC. Marilyn moved back to Oliver and married Richard Simmons Sr. in 1964 and as the years went by had three children together, although they divorced, they remained good friends.
Marilyn believed in the power of education and loved teaching children and worked as an Elementary teacher at Osoyoos Elementary and Tuc El Nuit Elementary in Oliver for years. Marilyn was a founding member of the Oliver Museum Heritage Society, where she developed a devotion for preserving Oliver and Fairview’s history. To support this devotion for preserving local history Marilyn went back to university and graduated from the University of Victoria with a degree in Curatorship, and later became the Oliver Museum curator.
Marilyn also had many hobbies including gardening, painting, and a deep passion for cooking, she loved to create culinary delights for her friends and family. This passion for food and being creative led to also start a catering business which she loved!
Marilyn was an avid volunteer throughout her life, volunteering for the United Church, the Penticton health unit, and building houses in Mexico to name a few of her many volunteer endeavors.
Marilyn loved to travel and went on many adventures including a family trip on a cruise ship to Alaska in 2006. In addition to her travels to Europe when she was fresh out of high school she traveled in her senior years to Hawaii, Panama, Mexico, and other destinations near and far.
Marilyn and family wanted to thank her family doctor Dr. Badenhorst in Penticton, Dr. Khoo, Dr. Thompson, and team at the oncology department in both Penticton and Kelowna. Marilyn also wanted to thank Christine Campbell from Dale Charles For all of the support and physiotherapy work after her car accident.
Marilyn requested not to have a funeral service, she requested you find a good glass of wine or your favorite beverage and think of fond memories and have a toast to life! Seize the day.
Please contact the family if you have special memories you would like to share.
Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Marilyn Dowler April 21 1941
June 15 2022..
Nunes Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium Ltd
Death notice for the town of: Oliver, Province: Colombie britanique