With loving family by her side, Marilyn June (Ward) King died peacefully at home.
Wise, patient and dear Mom to Martha King, Elizabeth King (Eric Armour) and Graham King (Virginia Gayford), Marilyn was predeceased earlier this year by her loving husband of 64 years, Charles Wallis (Wally) King.

Beloved Grammie and Nana to seven grandchildren, Ainsley Coatsworth (Gord Coatsworth), Devon Bond (Chris Lamont) and Chandler Bond (David Prinzbach), Jessie Armour (Anthony Ponzo), Sascha Armour, Charlie King and Henry King. She also recently welcomed four great-grandchildren, Owen, Mars, Taylor and Heath. Elder sister to Doug Ward (Terry Richmond) and Rosemary Ward. Dear childhood friend of Sally (Bryden) McCulloch.

Marilyn had a happy childhood growing up with her loving parents, Douglas Henry Ward and June Anna (Morley) Ward and attending Blythwood Junior Public School. Born with perfect pitch, she lived in a whistling, musical household, excelling at piano (known to strum a ukulele too). She loved music of all kinds - hymns, show tunes, camp songs especially, and shared her love of music with us all so that musical performances were often a highlight of our family events.

In 1956, Marilyn proudly graduated as a registered nurse from the Hospital for Sick Children. She became a clinical instructor and advanced her studies to become a public health nurse. She loved her days as Camp Nurse at her former summer camp in Algonquin Park, Camp Tanamakoon, and later as a nurse-administrator for a renowned Toronto paediatrician, providing compassionate care to many children and their families. She credited her nursing training for developing her skills as a master record-keeper, with times and dates always included. The importance of good nutrition, respect for science and medicine were always evident, particularly during the health challenges she and Wally experienced in recent years.

We mourn the loss of Marilyn’s strong and graceful presence, always grounded and calm and with a warm smile. We take comfort in countless memories: in how she was always present and engaged with her grandchildren, being there for drives to school and special events, adding her quick wit to a game of scrabble or teaching by example how to approach baking a blueberry pie. We valued the good companionship of both Marilyn and Wally and they always provided a reliable source of comfort.
Marilyn was a consummate volunteer. This included chairing church committees, organizing a successful political campaign, serving as class rep for her Havergal College graduating class of 1953 and planning reunions for her “Sick Kids Grads”.

A gathering to celebrate Marilyn’s life followed by a reception will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 29, 2024 at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre, 375 Mount Pleasant Road, Toronto, Ontario (east gate entrance off Mount Pleasant Road). A private committal will be held with family. For further details, please visit Marilyn’s memorial page at www.etouch.ca.

To the very end, Marilyn faced with courage her diagnosis of pulmonary fibrosis. We would like to offer a special thanks on behalf of Marilyn, Wally and our entire family, to the doctors and care teams at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and the Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care; and our sincerest appreciation to the personal-care workers who were so dedicated and kind.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Marilyn's memory may be made to the Sick Kids Foundation online or by telephone.