April 1, 1942 – February 19, 2025
It is with sadness that the family of Marilyn Wichuk announce her passing on the February 19, 2025. Marilyn is survived by her husband John, daughter Karen (Tim), son Randal (Mehgan), grandchildren Gretchen, Vivienne and Rowan, honourary grandchild Caitlin, brother Don, sister Susan, and numerous other family members and close friends. Marilyn is predeceased by her parents Mary and Bernie Belluz, and brother David Belluz.
Marilyn was born in Fort William. She grew up on the family farm in Slate River Valley and often talked about picking potatoes in the fields as a child. Friends and community were important to Marilyn from an early age. She was always quick to share a smile and as a child made lifelong friends, who later in life she would visit when she returned “home” to the valley to spend time with family. She participated in 4-H and Canadian Girls in Training (CGIT) and always her ukelele on hand and be ready to lead singing around the fire at Junior Farmers’ events.
Marilyn was born to be in a teach and entered teacher’s college after high school. In 1965 Marilyn and a girlfriend responded to an ad in a local newspaper looking for teachers in the small hamlet of Seba Beach, Alberta. It was there, on the other side of Wabamun Lake that Marilyn met John. Marilyn and John married at Pinegrove United Church on August 3, 1968, and started building their life, home, and family together.
Marilyn was a staple parent volunteer at the Wabamun School, a leader in the Wabamun community club, and attended the Wabamun United Church where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. Marilyn spent many years teaching pre-school and it was her strong belief in public education that led her to run for the Parkland School Division, and her commitment to community that led her to run for the Village of Wabamun Council.
She loved her family, music, reading, golfing, crafts, going for walks, her flower and vegetable gardens, and epic road trips “home” with her cousin Barbara (Druhar) Payne. She was famous for her Christmas cake, raspberry jam, and her yearly wine and cheese parties.
In the mid-2000s, Marilyn was diagnosed with Lewy Body dementia. She approached the diagnosis with awe-inspiring courage. In 2010, Marilyn moved into Capital Care Grandview in Edmonton. It was there that Marilyn embraced her new community and taught so many about what it means to have a meaningful relationship with someone with dementia.
Marilyn’s family would like to thank those people who surrounded her with love and kindness on her dementia journey. A special thank you to those family members and friends who stayed by Marilyn’s side throughout her dementia. Your visits, letters, card, gifts, phone calls, facetimes and texts from here at home, and across the miles, will never be forgotten. And to Barb, Marilyn’s guardian angel through it all.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Messages and tributes as well as information on the celebration can found on the Dignity Memorial – Parkland Funeral Services website. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marilyn’s name to Capital Care Grandview, directing gifts to the recreation therapy program.
