Obituary of Marilyn Hanna

Marilyn died peacefully on June 28, 2020, as she wished, surrounded by family (in-person and online) at her daughter, Louise’s, home in Nepean, Ontario, after a short illness with acute myeloid leukaemia. She was born in Toronto on March 9, 1925, the second child of the late Harold Gordon Swalm and Allie Swalm (nee Wray). She is survived by her sister, Gladys MacPhail. Marilyn was married for over 70 years to Douglas Harland Hanna who pre-deceased her in late 2017. Together they had five children, nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren, plus one on the way - Beverley Thorpe (Ronald), children Michael (Michelle) and Matthew; Edward (Rysa), children Andrew (Joanne), Tia (Cam) and Everett (Lauren); Louise Walker (James), children Kate (Michael) and Bradley (Lauren); David (Colleen), children Lauren (Harald) and Sarah (Connor); baby Harland, who died shortly after birth; and great grandchildren Mia, Weston, Jamie, Desmond, Landon and Ellie. She also leaves her nieces and nephews Robert, Mary, John and Kathy. Marilyn was a proud Canadian and a strong, loving mother who embraced life and all that it offered. She saw the glass as always half full and was always up for adventure – as she was fond of saying, she wanted to wear out, not rust out. Marilyn was always supporting and encouraging her family to pursue their goals. She nurtured a love for winter, with family skiing most weekends, skating on frozen streams and lakes or, when necessary, artificial ice rinks. Summer was equally enjoyable with endless days spent at the family cottage and farm at Beaver Lake swimming, water skiing, sailing, fishing, and gardening. She loved to sew, knit and crochet but wasn’t fond of following a pattern - she had her own sense of design and style. She was an awesome cook and baker who loved serving an impressive dinner every night, while also organizing special family meals to celebrate birthdays, holidays or just getting together. Her pies were legendary and she passed on her passion for baking to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. At the annual Centreville Fair near the cottage, she would enter baked goods and flower arrangements in competition. Her offspring and their partners have followed her encouraging lead. She was raised in the west end of Toronto, attending Humberside Collegiate and then training as a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital. While busy raising her family, she was always volunteering and helping the community as a Brownie and then Girl Guide leader, canvassing for many charities including the Cancer Society, while also being involved in her church choir and chancel guild, although she later left the church. As her children grew older, Marilyn started to pursue her passions for skiing as a member of the Canadian Ski Patrol (which also meant she could ski for free, always a bonus for her frugal nature) and became a tennis instructor, teaching at the nearby community club she helped to establish. After Doug was transferred to Montreal in 1972, Marilyn enrolled at the nearby CÉGEP and took pottery classes, igniting another passion. When the family was transferred back to Toronto, Marilyn enrolled at the Sheridan School of Design, graduating with a Fine Arts Degree with a specialty in ceramics. She particularly enjoyed working in porcelain and the family have many of her remarkable pieces to remember her by. After Doug’s retirement, they moved to the family farm near Tamworth. Marilyn pursued her love of golfing at the Napanee Golf and Country Club, where she served as Treasurer for a number of years. She encouraged her family to learn to play and they enjoyed many memorable family golf events. She also took up, and excelled, at curling, which she played with a club in Napanee. After Doug’s health declined, Doug and Marilyn relocated to retirement residences in Ottawa and then Kanata. Marilyn lived life to the fullest and encouraged her family to follow her example. She focused on the present and future, not the past. She faced her impending death with stoicism, grace and humour, reaching out to family and friends to say goodbye. In her last days, she made a series of short videos for her family, setting out the life lessons and important messages she wanted to share. During the last few weeks of Marilyn’s life, her family, who are spread across the country, had regular online meetings with her to sing, laugh and share stories. She also planned her own funeral and Celebration of Life. In accordance with her wishes, she is being bio-cremated, to lessen the impact of carbon emissions on climate change. There will be a private family graveside remembrance at St. George’s on the Hill Toronto, with a large Celebration of Life to follow, once large group gatherings are permitted, in accordance with her wishes. Her message was clear – she wants a big party with all of her loved ones in attendance! The family thanks Dr. Pierre Villeneuve, Dr. El-Salfiti, Dr. McKinnon, Dr. Spacek and the many nurses from the palliative care team who made Marilyn’s final weeks comfortable and peaceful. Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or The Ottawa Hospital Foundation. Alternatively, Marilyn would love if a plant or tree was planted in her memory. She saw her spirit living on through her offspring and nature.