Eleanor Marilyn Boland
April 26, 1926 – January 13, 2024
Marilyn passed away peacefully in her 98th year with family by her side and with the knowledge that she was a loving wife, caring mother, invested grandmother and loyal friend.
Born to Henry and Mildred Parker on April 26, 1926, Marilyn and her younger sister Barbara were raised in Toronto. After graduating from high school, Marilyn worked at Manulife until she married Larry in 1951 and moved to North Bay where she devoted herself to raising her family and working with Larry in his dental practice. After 69 years of marriage, there was little doubt that they had a wonderfully successful union. In their final days, each was always asking about the other.
Marilyn was a gentle soul who deeply valued her family, a small circle of friends, and her solitude. The family cottage on ‘’Grandma’s Island’’ at the west end of Lake Nipissing became her summer haven for pursuing what was most meaningful to her - taking care of family, baking sweets, reading, knitting, and playing cards and putting puzzles together with her grandkids. Summers on Grandma’s Island with Larry, their children, grandchildren, and Larry’s siblings and their families brought her immeasurable joy and peace of mind. Marilyn would always say that when she left the mainland at Camp LaPlage to head across the lake to the island, she left all of her worries behind.
Ever the Maritimer at heart, Marilyn held a lifelong affection for the East Coast, especially New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, where her father was born and worked until he moved to Toronto. She loved to talk about this important link to her past, her family roots on the Bay of Fundy, shipbuilding, rum-running and by far her favourite foods… lobster, scallops, crab and shrimp.
Following Larry’s retirement from dentistry, he and Marilyn spent their winters in Florida where Larry golfed and Marilyn played bridge with new friends who thoroughly enjoyed her kindhearted companionship. After leaving their home on Glenwood Rd, Larry and Marilyn moved to The Empire retirement home where they were fortunate to have a wonderful view of Lake Nipissing which they cherished.
Never was Marilyn happier than when she was surrounded by her immediate family whose admiration and affection for her was always evident. Though she will be deeply missed, Marilyn’s devotion to her family will ensure that she will never be forgotten.
Marilyn leaves behind her beloved children, Bill (Alice), Tim (Erin), Nancy Sallie (Robert), David (Suzanne), 8 grandchildren, Cassandre (Travers), Stéphanie, Marilyn (Adam), Laurel (Mitch), Connor (Carina), Elliott, Parker and Andrew, and 2 great grandchildren, Finn and Lola. She is predeceased by her husband Larry and her sister Barbara.
A service will be held on May 4, 2024 at the Martyn Funeral Home in North Bay. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Stronach Cancer Centre, Medical Arts Building, 102 - 581 Davis Dr., Newmarket, ON, L3Y 2P6. (southlakefoundation.ca). For those who are unable to attend Marilyn’s service in person, a live stream of the service will be available online at Forget Me Not Ceremonies: https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=f91e4ffb-43e0-4d7f-9aa3-e1588a0836ca