Marilyn DURNIN

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

DURNIN: Marilyn Rae Durnin. Sadly, we announce the passing of Marilyn Rae Durnin (nee Williamson) in Kelowna, B.C. Our mother left us very peacefully in the early hours of August 11, 2009. Marilyn was born on May 5, 1928 in Brandon, Manitoba to Jean and Frank Williamson. She spent all of her early years in Brandon and went on to take her lab technician diploma. She married George Rowe Durnin in1951 and settled in Winnipeg to raise her family. Marilyn was a great supporter of her children’s activities. She followed her two daughters’ achievements in speed skating and her two sons’ involvement in hockey. She continued that role in her grandchildren’s lives. She and George enjoyed many winters in Texas and the Okanagan before settling permanently in 2006. Marilyn loved to be active right up to her last days. Through the years she was an avid bridge player, volunteered with the Manitoba and Canadian Speed Skating Assoc., the Winnipeg Art Gallery, and MB Engineers Wives. She loved music and spent many years singing in the church choir. Most of all, Marilyn spent a part of every summer from the age of 3 months at the family cottage at Pelican Lake, Manitoba. Her summers were greatly enriched with sailing friends, neighbors and visitors. Her greatest goal over the past winter was to attend her eldest granddaughter’s wedding on July 25, 2009 in Brandon and to spend some time at the cottage. Thanks are extended to all of the doctors and staff at the Cancer Clinic and KGH who made this goal happen. She reveled in the time spent in the company of all of her children, grandchildren and summer friends! Predeceased by her parents, brother Vic Williamson and husband George, her memory lives on with her children - Kelly and wife Kim (Evan and Jenna Marie) of Wawanesa, Manitoba, Pat Leech and husband Michael (Adrianne, Jordan, Meredyth and Gillian) of Brandon, Manitoba, Nancy Goplen and husband Gary (Robyn and Nicholas) of Kelowna, BC and Douglas and wife Susan (Madison, Lexi and James) of Port Moody, B.C. Our family would also like to thank the staff and volunteers of the Central Okanagan Hospice Association. Marilyn enjoyed her friends at Missionwood who went out of their way to accommodate our ‘party girl,’ as she was so aptly nicknamed. Funeral services will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, Brandon, Manitoba on Thursday, August 20 at 2:00 p.m. A private family burial service will be held following the reception. Contributions in Marilyn’s memory may be made to BC Cancer Agency's Centre for the Southern Interior or the Central Okanagan Hospice Association. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting springfieldfuneralhome.com250-860-7077.

As published in Brandon Sun on Aug 15, 2009