Obituary of Marilyn Elizabeth Dempsey
It is with broken hearts that the family of Marilyn Elizabeth Dempsey (nee Coghill) announces her passing which occurred on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at the Saint John Regional Hospital.
Marilyn was born in Port Stanley, Ontario on July 23, 1937, and grew up there in her younger years.
She also lived in northern Ontario for a time, before going state side briefly, then spent a year in Manitoba prior to returning to northern Ontario. Marilyn also lived in southern Ontario again before moving to eastern Ontario where she resided with family before more recently venturing to New Brunswick to be closer to grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, who took great pride in seeing her family grow.
Marilyn was a woman of strong faith, who accepted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour at age nine and who found great comfort in the words and hymns of Jesus Christ. Marilyn will be remembered as the kindest person you could ever know. She was selfless and so very generous with her time and energy, always looking for ways to help others. Marilyn served her Lord over the years teaching Sunday School, and being a leader in Pioneer Clubs and Awana groups, as well as serving at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen caring for those less fortunate. A lover of the Autumn season, one of her favourite things to do was to go for long drives to enjoy the changing colours of the leaves. Marilyn was a talented artist who painted with oils, and watercolours depicting her love of the outdoors with many landscapes and water scenes to be enjoyed.
During her working years, Marilyn was a manager of a Tuxedo Rental business and before that she spent time in the Canadian Military as a Radar Operator. Those working with Marilyn in the Tuxedo Rental business said she was not just a manager but also, a mentor and a friend who would be very missed when she retired.
Marilyn is survived by her sons, Rick Dempsey (Carol Ludwig-Dempsey) and Randy Dempsey (Gail); daughter, Shannon (nee Dempsey) Rozniak (Robert Rozniak); brother, John Coghill (Joyce Coghill); beloved grandchildren: Joshua Dempsey and Nathan Dempsey, Alisha (nee Rozniak) Sundstrom (Bobby Sundstrom), Raynon Rozniak (Tracy nee Bleakney) Rozniak; and very special great grandchildren Ruthie and Toby Rozniak; as well as many nieces and nephews. Marilyn was predeceased by her mother Isabel McDougal (nee MacDonald), affectionately known as Grandma Doo Goo, and her sisters: Aline White (nee Coghill), Margaret (Peggy) Coghill, Agnus (Aggie) Clark (nee Coghill), and Sheila Scheele (nee Coghill).
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to all who have sent condolences via cards and texts, as well as flowers and donations given in Marilyn’s memory to Gideon’s Bible Society.
Arrangements are under the care of Kennebecasis Funeral Home, 152 Pettingill Rd (Quispamsis), 849-2119. In keeping with Marilyn’s wishes there will be no visiting or funeral service at this time. A celebration of life memorial service will be held in honour of Marilyn’s life in the summer in Ontario. Donations made in memory of Marilyn may be given to the Gideon’s Bible Society. Online condolences may be placed at: www.KennebecasisFH.com
