Obituary of Marilyn Ruth Evans

It is with great sadness that the family of Marilyn Ruth (Woolner) Evans announces her peaceful passing on October 21, 2024, at Sunnyside Home Long Term Care in Kitchener, Ontario. 

Marilyn was born in Kitchener on September 10, 1933, to John and Almeda (Nickolis) Woolner. She graduated from Kitchener Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School and went on to work for the City of Kitchener in the old City Hall. During that time, she made many lifelong friends.

She married Howard Evans and had two children, Barbara and Cameron. Howard died in a plane crash in 1972. Marilyn then began working at the Waterloo County Board of Education. During this time, her son Cameron developed a rare lung condition and went on to become the first Canadian to undergo a heart-lung transplant. Cameron died in 1983 at 20 years of age. Before and after his surgery, Marilyn spent many years supporting Cameron through his illness, while fundraising and volunteering at Toronto General Hospital, and at University Hospital in Pittsburgh where Cameron’s transplant was performed. Marilyn became one of the pioneer donors for “Family House” in Pittsburgh, a home away from home for families whose loved ones were patients at the hospital. Forty years later, the much-emulated Family House is still going strong.

Marilyn’s daughter Barbara went on to marry Peter Oxland in 1984, and together they had three children: Kevin, Jenna, and Megan. Barbara and her family were much beloved to Marilyn, and she cherished her many visits to their homes in London and Calgary over the years. Nothing made her happier than to hear of their latest adventures and accomplishments.

In 1987 Marilyn met Donald Dotzert and they went on to spend 37 happy years together, vacationing in exotic destinations around the world, and at the cottage in Port Severn. Don was a loving and devoted partner to Marilyn and remained especially supportive in their final years together when her health began to deteriorate.

Sadly, in 2012 Marilyn’s daughter Barbara was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer and died in October of that year. Marilyn continued to focus her attention on her beloved grandchildren who remained equally devoted to her. Earlier this year, she received the exciting news that she was a great-grandmother to great-grandson Tanner.

Marilyn is survived by her loving partner of 37 years, Don Dotzert; her cherished grandchildren Kevin (Rebecca) Oxland, Jenna (Kaleb) Morton, all of Calgary, and Megan (Mathew) Oxland of Hamilton; her precious great-grandson Tanner Morton of Calgary; her loving son-in-law Peter Oxland of Calgary; her special nephews John (Emelie), Dwight (d. 2006), Stephen (Kim), and Mark (Lori) Brown, David (Lynn, d. 2006), Bruce, and Stephen (Deborah) Evans; and her devoted friend Alexandra Peterson.

Predeceased by her first husband Howard Evans (1972); her son Cameron Evans (1983) and daughter Barbara Oxland (2012); her parents John and Almeda (nee Nickolis) Woolner; her sisters Elaine Woolner (1932) and Audrey (Charles) Brown (2005) and brother John Jr. Woolner (1939); and her brother-in law Lloyd Evans (2018) and his wife Marilyn (2021).

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Sunnyside Home Long Term Care for the exemplary care given to Marilyn.

Cremation has taken place. Friends and relatives are invited to an informal Celebration of Life/Visitation at Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S, Waterloo, on Saturday, November 16, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. A private family interment will be held at Woodland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, condolences for the family and donations to the Sunnyside Foundation may be arranged through the funeral home at 519-745-8445 or at www.erbgood.com.