MARILYN RUTH (MACKEY) BROOKE

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MARILYN RUTH (MACKEY) BROOKE
September 10, 1944 - March 8, 2021

After a courageous battle with cancer, Marilyn passed away at Ste. Anne Hospital, Ste. Anne, Manitoba.
Marilyn was the loving wife of Ralph Brooke of Paradise Village in Ste. Anne, Manitoba, daughter of Claire Katherine Mackey and sisters, Kathyrn (Jim) Gardner and Sandra Mullin all of Meaford, Ontario. She was predeceased by her father, Kenneth Mackey, and brother-in-law, Brian Mullin. She will be missed by nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and nephews.
Marilyn grew up in Meaford, Ontario, where she attended both public and high school before going to Toronto to study for her ARCT in piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Later she earned a Bachelor of Music from University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario and a Masters in Library Sciences from Western University, London, Ontario. She then headed west to Manitoba where she worked at Red River College and then as Head Librarian, Health Sciences, Government of Manitoba until she retired. And it was in Winnipeg where she met her future husband, Ralph, the love of her life.
Marilyn embraced Ralph's family and became endeared and loved by all. Marilyn had a knack for hosting special events and is one of our many fond memories. She will be lovingly remembered and missed by her sister-in-law, Glenda Dean and extended family including nieces and great-nephews and nieces. Marilyn made many friends while in Winnipeg and will be much missed particularly by lifelong special friends, Patricia Bozak and Silvia Steinhilber.
She and Ralph lived for many years in Winnipeg and after retirement bought a mobile in a 55+ park in Mesa, Arizona where they would escape from the cold winters of Manitoba. They made many lasting friendships there. They eventually sold the house in Winnipeg and bought a mobile in Paradise Village near Ste. Anne where they also made many friends.
Marilyn lived life to the fullest! While attending high school in Meaford, she was on many committees as well as taking piano, organ and art lessons. She also read voraciously. This would be a theme throughout her life. She was always learning, always trying new things, whether in music, arts, or crafts. Her nieces loved her creative and whimsical gifts! She loved to entertain and was a gourmet cook. Marilyn enjoyed being part of a choir for many years. She loved to do research on various subjects and among other things, put together a series on the music of Fanny Mendelson which she presented and performed for a group of friends. Recently she had been working on a project about The Dawson Trail which runs near Ste. Anne.
In Mesa, Marilyn was involved in music jams, and although her training was in classical music, she learned big band music so she could take part. She also found an online program to teach herself to play jazz. Music was in her blood.
She loved people and was a consummate storyteller. At one time she belonged to the Toastmaster's Club. She would regale her nephews with tales of music concerts gone wrong or some escapade she was involved in. Never a dull moment!
She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 20, 2021