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Marilyn Dowler
April 21, 1941 - June 15, 2022
Tribute
Marilyn Anne Dowler, at the age of 81 passed away on June 15, 2022, peacefully in Penticton at Moog and Friends Hospice after her battle with cancer.
Marilyn was preceded by her mother Dolly Gough and Alec Gough. Marilyn is survived by her three children; Richard Simmons and his loving partner, Allison Symons (Paul Symons), and Pheona Cessford (Tim Cessford) and her four amazing grandchildren; Melissa and Nicholas Cessford, Linden and Wesley Symons. Marilyn had many cherished friends and was grateful for their friendship and support over the years.
Marilyn was born in Hedley, BC and as a small child moved to Oliver, BC with her parents, Dolly and Alec who had built and ran the Oliver Theatre. Marilyn grew up in Oliver and during her high school years was a May Day Princess and opened up the first thrift store in Oliver in the basement of the United Church. After graduating from South Okanagan Secondary School, she traveled Europe and then went to university in Vancouver to become a schoolteacher, getting her first teaching position in Mission, BC. Marilyn moved back to Oliver and married Richard Simmons Sr. in 1964 and as the years went by had three children together, although they divorced, they remained good friends.
Marilyn believed in the power of education and loved teaching children and worked as an Elementary teacher at Osoyoos Elementary and Tuc El Nuit Elementary in Oliver for years. Marilyn was a founding member of the Oliver Museum Heritage Society, where she developed a devotion for preserving Oliver and Fairview’s history. To support this devotion for preserving local history Marilyn went back to university and graduated from the University of Victoria with a degree in Curatorship, and later became the Oliver Museum curator.
Marilyn also had many hobbies including gardening, painting, and a deep passion for cooking, she loved to create culinary delights for her friends and family. This passion for food and being creative led to also start a catering business which she loved!
Marilyn was an avid volunteer throughout her life, volunteering for the United Church, the Penticton health unit, and building houses in Mexico to name a few of her many volunteer endeavors.
Marilyn loved to travel and went on many adventures including a family trip on a cruise ship to Alaska in 2006. In addition to her travels to Europe when she was fresh out of high school she traveled in her senior years to Hawaii, Panama, Mexico, and other destinations near and far.
Marilyn and family wanted to thank her family doctor Dr. Badenhorst in Penticton, Dr. Khoo, Dr. Thompson, and team at the oncology department in both Penticton and Kelowna. Marilyn also wanted to thank Christine Campbell from Dale Charles For all of the support and physiotherapy work after her car accident.
Marilyn requested not to have a funeral service, she requested you find a good glass of wine or your favorite beverage and think of fond memories and have a toast to life! Seize the day.
Please contact the family if you have special memories you would like to share.
Condolences and tributes may be directed to the family by visiting www.nunes-pottinger.com
Condolences
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From: Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium Ltd.
The Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Sandra Smith
Relation: My childhood home was near Marilyn's parents.
Condolences to all of the family, and a hug for Richard Jr.
From: Bonnie and Norman Prest and family
Relation: Niece and family
Our sincere condolences on the passing of your Mother.
We are so sorry for your loss
From: Heather Frank
Relation: Old friend
Jack and I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Marilyn’s family on her passing. Many years ago, I was a volunteer with the Oliver Museum when Marilyn was the curator. She was meticulous with her archival work yet shared her good sense of humour with the volunteers which we appreciated. I hadn’t talked with her for ages but in the last two months had connected over a shared appreciation of the United Church organization, C.G.I.T. She had been my leader when I was in my teens. She shared a delightful story about creating the first thrift shop in Oliver after a fund raising project with C.G.I.T. Itwas good to hear her laughter regarding the project. Her daughters Allison and Pheona babysat our children. So it is to them and to Richard Junior that we offer our sympathies. May the many happy memories you shared over the years help you as you deal with the loss of your dear Mom.
From: Admiral (Ret'd) John Anderson
I send condolences to all of Marilyn’ family. We were High School classmates and had many shared experiences of growing up in Oliver. She sold me many a ticket to the Oliver Theatre at 25 cents a movie on a Saturday. We lived in fear when her Mum and Dad patrolled the theatre ensuring that we kept our feet off the seats. She was also very helpful when I donated family items to the Oliver Museum. May she rest in peace.
From: Sue Morhun
Relation: friend, collague
In the early years of the Oliver and District Heritage Society, Marilyn was central to so many of the things that were achieved beginning in the 1980’s and including – building and caring for an invaluable and irreplaceable collection of artifacts and archival material, as well as preserving, maintaining and valuing several of Oliver’s heritage buildings. Her legacy in this regard is considerable. Residents of today and the future are grateful for her leadership, her vision, her determination and and her hard work. Thank you Marilyn ! And thank you also to the family who supported her in the doing. It is a wonderful legacy she has left. I send this message of condolence from all the members of the Society. We will continue to build on what she helped to start.
From: Karen Nelson
Marilyn I’m going to miss those special little talks we used to have and the advice you gave me. I really enjoyed the trip to Alaska with you and the family. I will always have fond memories. Thank you for never judging. Rest In Peace ❤️
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
Thank You Notice
Marilyn and family wanted to thank her family doctor Dr. Badenhorst in Penticton, Dr. Khoo, Dr. Thompson, and team at the oncology department in both Penticton and Kelowna. Marilyn also wanted to thank Christine Campbell from Dale Charles For all of the support and physiotherapy work after her car accident.
Send Flowers
Flower Fantasy Flowers & Gifts Inc.
6049 Main Street, Oliver, BC
https://www.flowerfantasyoliver.com/
Local: (250) 498-0088 Toll free: (844) 498-0088
Flowers on Main & Reis Boutique
5859 Main Street, Oliver, BC
https://www.oliverflorist.com/
Local: (778) 439-2270 Toll free: (800) 665-9983
Gems and Stems at Eastside
6496 Park Drive, Oliver, BC
https://gemsandstems.com/
(250) 826-0438
Polka Dot Door Floral Design Boutique
8522 Main Street, Osoyoos, BC
https://www.polkadotdoor.net/
(250) 495-2226
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