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Marilyn YATES

November 15, 2015

YATES, Marilyn Ann

March 10, 1937 - November 15, 2015


A stroke sent her to hospital on November 4 and after significant setbacks and a Herculean effort, Marilyn passed from this life to the next on November 15 surrounded with and embraced by the love of her husband, her children and many of her grandchildren.

Marilyn Ann Brown was born March 10, 1937 in Royal Columbian Hospital and grew up in Fort Langley with brother Barrie. After WW II, she would be joined by step siblings Alexander, Angus, Monica and Michael and later by half siblings Lana, Johnny, Ann and Jane. Our mother and father, Ron, were married for 60 years plus 3 days and very happily produced six children - Carolynne (Dan), Kelly (Joanne), Brenda (Neil), Bruce (Kathy), Leah (Jamie) and Lindsey - who in turn gave them 18 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren with 3 more on the way. Nothing made her happier than numbers of this magnitude. Marilyn and Ron lived a rich but simple life enjoying camping, boating, cooking, gardening and any excuse for a family event - large or small. When we were all together, immediate family meant 50 people and mom revelled in it. She taught us all manner of every day things but also, important life lessons - how to get along in the world, the importance of honesty, the joy of a sense of humour and perhaps best and most important of all, how to be a family.

A determined, proud, smart, honest and dignified woman, our mother achieved her place amongst her brothers and sisters as a member of Kwantlen First Nation. She became a welcome, beloved elder and loved learning about and absorbing her culture. This is only one of the many things she has passed on to us. If the final measure of a woman is what she leaves behind then Marilyn is the embodiment of success. A legacy of love, a long and successful marriage, a large and happy family, loving friends and a community that mourns her passing - this is what she has achieved and we are the lucky ones for having lived in that light.


Please join us to celebrate Marilyn - wife, sister, mother, grandmother and GGMa on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at noon at the Kwantlen Cultural Centre, 23905 Gabriel Lane, Fort Langley.

We gratefully decline flowers.



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