Marilyn. Mom. Mrs. Wallace. Born on April 28th, 1936 in Toronto, Marilyn gently passed away on December 29th, 2023 at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.

Married for 63 years to the love of her life, John Wallace, Marilyn was devoted to John and their daughter Sharlene. Predeceased by her sisters Doreen Jeffrey of Toronto and Evelyn Latter of Oakville, the three sisters were raised in Toronto by their widowed mother, Grace. In her youth, Marilyn loved playing basketball, volleyball and, of course, swimming. Marilyn and John moved to Oakville in 1960 and by the mid 60s Marilyn was teaching swimming in their backyard pool in west Oakville with her sister Evelyn and a few years later at the newly opened Oakville Centennial Pool. Marilyn was a strong advocate for knowing how to swim. Any friends of Sharlene who came to the house, had to know how to… or they certainly knew before they left!

In 1968 Marilyn started teaching recreational synchronised swimming in Oakville to youth and adults at Centennial Pool and continued teaching for almost thirty years. She was particularly proud of her "Synchro Ladies". In 2018, she was recognised for beginning and contributing to 50 years of synchronised swimming in Oakville with a commemorative mosaic that now hangs in the Oakville Trafalgar Community Centre. In 1972 Marilyn began the swim programme at St. Mildred's Lightbourn School in Oakville where she taught for 22 years teaching grades 3-8 swimming as well as coaching the SMLS swim teams and synchronised swim teams.

Sewing was a huge part of her life, whether she was creating clothes for herself or Sharlene, family and friends, costumes for ballet performances, themed swimsuits for her yearly synchro "shows", table cloths and napkins, or quilts for charities with her sister Evelyn and a few friends in Oakville. She was also an amazing cook and baker, a delight at family gatherings, Sharlene's concert receptions and to anyone who dropped by for a visit.

She loved the many years spent at the cottage in Minett where her husband John grew up. During the summer months she was always in the lake swimming, or gardening or being the most fun hostess to friends and family.

She will dearly be missed by her niece and nephew, Paulyne Lack and Ross Latter and their children.

Special thanks and gratitude for the wonderful care over the years at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and in particular to her former swim student, Eileen McDonald Karcz.

A big personality with a big heart and a big laugh, Marilyn always had time to listen to you, to help you, to support you and to cheer you up. She was a second mother to many of her swimming students, always with a helping hand and heart.

Mom was very loved by her family, friends and swimming students. For those who knew her, we all know how much she loved the colour pink… and roses… and laughing, swimming, friends and most of all, her family.

A rose arose from a rose

Swimmingly pink and laughing

A lily of grace. - S.W.

A private family service has been held.