Marilyn Willox

Marilyn Joy Willox (nee Grant), loving mother, grandmother, and loyal sister passed away in her home surrounded by family and friends after a lengthy battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Marilyn was born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, cherished daughter of the late Duncan and Maude Grant. As a small child, Marilyn was an intrepid explorer venturing far from home, especially to wave to the train engineer and the conductor. The explorer in her would continue to show up throughout her life. She loved to travel to new and exciting places; she enjoyed meeting people and learning about their customs and cultures. Marilyn was an avid reader from an early age and enjoyed an eclectic range of genres. She loved learning, and attended the University of Calgary, University of Alberta and Brock University while working on her Bachelor of Education degree. She taught high school in Calgary and also taught people with intellectual disabilities in Ottawa. Marilyn also spent ten years coaching gymnastics on a part-time basis while her children were young.

Once Marilyn's children were grown, she returned to school in 1988 to take a degree in Sport Administration from the University of Regina. Coming from an athletic family, she indulged in every sport she possibly could.

She then worked on a variety of contracts including researching, writing and publishing a 300 page report on Saskatchewan's rural volunteers and operating a 12,000 square foot gymnastics training facility while managing the business affairs of the resident gymnastics club and directing their recreational school age programs. Just prior to moving to the mountains, Marilyn organized the first-ever Canada Senior Games held in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1996.

In February 1997, Marilyn began work at The Banff Centre for Management where she was Coordinator and Learning Advisor in both the Aboriginal Leadership and Management program area and the Core or Mainstream Leadership area. In the Aboriginal area, she quickly progressed to Program Manager and from there to Acting Director. A Blackfoot Elder from the Siksika Nation honoured Marilyn with a Blackfoot name – "Aaptookiaggi" – meaning "Spruce Woman".

At this time, she decided a more spiritual approach to life was needed and she began to research a number of different religions. Her search was finally rewarded by the Baha'i Faith and she was so grateful to have been accepted as a member.

Following her retirement, Marilyn spent time consulting for the Blackfoot Nation and led some seminars for Canadian Heritage. She volunteered on the board of the Canmore Community Housing Corporation, focusing on needs assessment. She also took up watercolour painting at which she became very accomplished; she continued to participate in this activity with friends until her passing. She also enjoyed golf—time spent in the sunshine, with good friends and family, and lots of laughter.

Book Club was another enjoyable pastime as was her seniors' aquasize class.

Marilyn is survived by her sister Karen Olson, her daughter Laura Neilson (Ian Mellors) and her son Michael (Avani) Willox. She is also survived by her grandsons Alexander, Jeremy and Patrick Neilson and Kiran and Navin Willox.

Special thanks are extended to Drs. Joanne Mitchell, Dale Robertson and Charlene Fell for their care and support during Marilyn's illness. Thank you as well to Dr. Kendra Barrick and Home Care.

A celebration of Marilyn's life was held at the Canmore Opera House in Spring Creek Village on Sunday, October 6, 2019.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation would be gratefully appreciated.

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.