Obituary of Marilyn Emily Elizabeth Wardrop

We are saddened to announce the passing of Marilyn Emily Elizabeth Wardrop (nee McGavin), surrounded by her children, on March 9, 2026, in Kingston, Ontario at the age of 93.

Marilyn was predeceased by her husband Albert ("Ab") and is survived by her five children (Bob, Brenda, Liz, Trish and Brian), thirteen grandchildren (Bryan, Michael, Meagan, Nick, Alex, Matt, Max, Meg, Kate, Cella, Clare, William, Kai), and eight great-grandchildren (Anna, Hilda, Freddie, Tomas, Hadley, Sammy, Lennox and Liam).

Born in Gretna, Manitoba on December 30, 1932 in the Great Depression, Marilyn was one of five siblings (Joan, Brian, Ida, Becky). Marilyn was eager to get to work right after high school with the Imperial Bank in Winnipeg where she loved to work with "figures". After she married Ab in 1956, she devoted her energy to raising her children in Brampton, Ontario, and she was their biggest fan until her passing.

Marilyn had an immense intellectual curiosity which she managed to tap into throughout her life. While raising young children, she managed to do international volunteer work at the Brampton Y, take university English courses, and become both a fevered bridge player and a voracious reader with the "Book of the Month Club" satisfying her literary appetite. 

As a sporty woman, Marilyn used walking, (and long walks they were!), as a form of fitness in the 1970s when little was known about the benefits of walking. She entered 10K runs when they were in their infancy, and she continued her love of fitness classes and lifting her free weights well into her late 80's.

Marilyn loved a good party and enjoyed simple luxuries - one gin martini with one olive at 5pm, Chanel #5, her signature red lipstick and nail polish, pearl necklaces, crisp white cotton blouses, and devouring novels such as the Great Gatsby which she reread 3 times in the past 3 years.

A family "reunion", in Marilyn's words, will take place this summer.