Marilyn Kowalski

October 29, 1945 - July 31, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Mrs. Marilyn Alice Fay Kowalski of Sylvan Lake, Alberta on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at the age of 78 years. Marilyn was the youngest of six children and was born in Calgary, Alberta, to William and Belle Watt on October 29, 1945.

She spent her early life in Calgary, Cold Lake, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, and Edmonton. Marilyn married Raymond Kowalski on February 27, 1965. They had homes in Paradise Valley, Westlock, Red Deer and eventually retired to Sylvan Lake, in 2003.

Marilyn had a passion for helping others and loved volunteering. This included being very active with the Red Deer Players Society and Central Alberta Theatre Productions, as their costume designer and ushering at events. She also volunteered with the Sylvan Lake Library, and the Wilderness Village Resort Library in Rocky Mountain House. This is where the family loved to spend their summers camping, for over twenty years.

She also distributed books to Seniors' Lodges. Interestingly, her first job was working for the Alberta Teacher's Association. She later earned her Bachelor of Education Degree and Early Childhood Services Diploma at the University of Calgary. Marilyn owned and operated ABC's and 123's Children's and Maternity Store in Red Deer for twelve years. She worked at the Red Deer Advocate as a District Manager in the Circulation Department.

Marilyn wore many hats, including a red hat with the Red Hat Society. She was the founding Queen of the Sylvan Lake Red Hat Society. Marilyn was an avid reader, loved literature, was a book club member, and reviewed books for publishers. She was very artistic, and she loved painting and making flower arrangements. She loved her puzzles and crosswords.

Marilyn will be lovingly remembered by her beloved husband of fifty-nine years, Raymond and her four daughters: Susan (Frank) North of St. Albert, Nancy (Charles) Arlinghaus of Alberta Beach, Nadine Kowalski (Grahn) of Calgary and Janice (Chad) Rieger of Brisbane, Australia; and her nine grandchildren who loved her dearly, and who she loved to play cards and boardgames with.

She will also be sadly missed by her brother, Dan (Linda) Watt, her sister, Marguerite Rama and her sister-in-law, Stella Watt.

Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, her brothers, Gordon and Douglas Watt and her sister, Dorothy Edwards.

A Celebration of Marilyn's Life will be held at the Nexsource Centre - Sylvan Lake Multi-Plex, 4823 - 49 Avenue, Sylvan Lake, Alberta on Saturday, September 28, 2024 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

If desired, Memorial Donations in Marilyn's honor may be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation at www.heartandstroke.ca.

Cremation entrusted to Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, Red Deer, Alberta. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com

Arrangements in care of Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 - 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium