SPARKS, MARILYN ELIZABETH (COLE) - June 2, 1945 - February 11, 2013 - Marilyn left us quietly in her sleep, succumbing to lung cancer after a twenty month battle. She spent her final days at home with her husband, Rodger, loving family, friends, neighbours and her little dog Goldie. She is survived by her husband, Rodger Sparks, her mother, Anne Guthrie, her sisters, Mona and Shirley, her sons William Cole (Jennifer) of Victoria, BC and Tom Cole (Shannon) of Brandon, MB and daughter Wendy Hill (Mark) of Saint John, NB. Marilyn leaves five grandchildren: Stephanie Cole, Regan Cole, Mackenzie Cole, Tee Jay and Sarah Hill and step-grandchildren Emily, Molly and Gavin Niblock and step-daughter Samantha Sparks (Brad Niblock), several nieces and nephews. Marilyn is predeceased by father Benjamin Guthrie, daughter Brenda Lee, sisters Vivian, Carol and Marie and brother George. Marilyn was known fondly as a skilled, enthusiastic employee and worked many years as a talented upholsterer in a family business in Saint John. Marilyn was a volunteer paramedic with The Saint John Ambulance, receiving recognition from the Mayor of the City coordinating the City’s Community Garden Project. At the age of fifty seven she moved to Courtenay to be free of the harsh Saint John winters and to be near her eldest son. Three years later she met and married the love of her life, Rodger. Theirs was a marriage of joy, love and spiritual growth. They travelled, played music together and were avid live theatre and symphony patrons. They embraced Buddhism, and belong to The Order of Buddhist Contemplatives.
Marilyn’s ashes will be installed in Shasta Abbey Buddhist Monastery, located at the foot of beautiful Mount Shasta in California, USA. Celebration of her life for family and close friends in Courtenay, BC at a later date. We wish to thank Dr. Mark Woldnik, for his tireless and loving care of Marilyn (and Rodger), and send our love to friends and family who were there for us at every turn. The Home Care Workers and Nurses, who helped fulfill her dream of spending her final year in her home. The problem with thanking people is you’re bound to miss someone, and for this we apologize. Donations in Marilyn’s honour can be made to the Victoria Cancer Agency, or to Shasta Abbey. Please pray that one day a full cure for all cancers will be developed.