Marilyn Patricia Stone Maki
July 23, 1940 - December 05, 2011
"Mom's in heaven with Jesus"
That was the Facebook message that greeted my last night. Facebook is a wonderful communication tool, but can also be a bit abrupt at times. My cousin Marilyn has been ailing with cancer for years and finally succumbed yesterday morning. I'm sad. Marilyn is the fifth of my first cousins to pass on. She was kind of the self appointed matriarch of the clan since the passing of my last aunt in 2003. She always had a great sense of humour, a strong faith and usually a good story to tell.
A couple of my favourite memories of Marilyn are from fairly recent years. In 2006 her brother remarried and we all attended the ceremony and reception. What I recall most was Marilyn and I dancing up a storm (quite a feat for a couple of yokels raised in the strict Brethren tradition). If memory serves me, she almost got my father up on the floor at one point.
The other memory I will always cherish is from the summer of 2010. Eldest and I made the trek back to Parry Sound to visit uncle John, and while we were there we went to visit the cousins at the lake. Marilyn was in rough shape at that point, but ever her cheerful self she came out and sat on the deck and had a great old visit for the best part of an hour. I'm sure we played her out completely as she was in the midst of chemo treatment, and in constant pain.
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| Marilyn and little sister Adrienne |
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| Marilyn, Adrienne and Aunt Mary in front of the Stone house |
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| Adrienne, Murray and Marilyn |
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| Ed, Kirsti, Marilyn, Terry |
You will be missed and lovingly remembered by all.
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The Daily Quest
This is a new daily feature on The Musical Gardener blog. Below is a question, or puzzle that will change day by day. Do not use the comment section of the blog for your answer.
Answer to Yesterday's Puzzle: b) filthy (the rest all have letters in alphabetical order)
Today's Puzzle:
Mix & Match
a) caffler 1) weapons maker and dealer
b) hansard 2) rag and bone man
c) quister 3) gold worker
c) redsmith 4) launderer
Please respond with your answer to the email below. I apologize but you will have to type my email address in manually (I'm attempting to avoid spammers).
And that is about all I have to say for today.
Musings and meanderings from the Musical Gardener
I'm so sorry you've lost your cousin. YOu have some lovely photos there to remember her by!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for your loss. Even when we know it's imminent, death hits us a blow. We are at an age now where cancer is becoming a reality for us or our friends. This fall,two friends of mine were diagnosed with cancer, and as often happens, the diagnosis was out of the blue. One day you're fine, next day you're going for chemo. Life's challenges continue.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute to your cousin. And what nice photos to go with them. You must be the repository. I don't think I could dig up any of my cousins.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of your loss. Does the baton now pass to you?
My condolence to you and your family. Cancer takes so many of us.
ReplyDeleteSympathy to you and your family. All losses are significant to us.
ReplyDeleteYou keep sneaking in the "brethern" term. I too was brought up in that group. It was a challenge to leave and participate in the "world."
So sorry. :(
ReplyDeleteA wonderful posting to remember your Aunt. All the memories come flooding back once they are gone. I am sorry for your loss and the disease that she had to deal with in the last of her life.
ReplyDeleteMy sympathy on the loss of your cousin...cousins are special..you have good memories:)
ReplyDelete