Obituary of Marilyn Norma Henderson

Marilyn passed away peacefully at Lisaard House Hospice on Thursday, February 13, 2025.

Daughter of the late Thomas Norman Enright and Kathleen Mary O’Connor of Toronto. Predeceased by her husband W. Bryce Liddle (1990), her second husband William Rieder (Bill) Henderson (2010), her sister Catherine Doherty (2002), brother-in-law Robert Doherty (1988), daughter-in-law Marie Liddle (2015), nephew Scott Liddle (1990), and brother-in-law Graydon Liddle (2022).

Devoted mother of Kevin Liddle of Niagara Falls, ON, and Brenda Liddle (Michael Varieur) of Huntsville ON. Caring stepmother of Deb Piotrowski (Les), Jessica Vanderkaden (Ron), Kevin Henderson (Trina), and Tolly Henderson (Alexa).

Lovingly remembered by her in-laws Keith Liddle (Helen), Ellenore Liddle; and nieces and nephews John, Kathy, and Paul (Mary) in California; Tracey Steffens (Greg), Pamela Theaker (Jim), and Lisa Matthews (Brad); Doug Liddle (Kelly), and David Liddle (Dawn).

She was the proud and loving “Grandma Marilyn” to Jasper and Phoenix Varieur; Rachel, Matthew, and Joe Piotrowski; Jarrah (Ellie) and Willow (Liz) Henderson Hall, and Kai Vanderkaden; Chelsea (Scott), Libby, Ava, and Rieder Henderson; and Kamilah and Adrienne Henderson. Special friend to sisters-in-law Beth Henderson (Tom Dyck) and Bonnie Passmore (Ken). Always close to her heart were the members of her extended family, the McKenna’s and Sherban’s (Westmount Place Pharmacy).

A graduate of St. Michael’s Hospital School of Nursing Class of 1958, Marilyn worked at St. Mike’s as Labour and Delivery Room Head Nurse until 1967 before moving to Waterloo where she became involved in community volunteer work. Marilyn was a member of the May Court, the K-W Kinette Club (President 1972), K-W Oktoberfest Women’s Committee, Ontario Nurses Association Local 169 Freeport Hospital (President 1976), Hospice of Waterloo Region, and Women’s Probus Club of Kitchener and Kitchener Westmount. She was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in 1991 by the Waterloo Rotary Club for her work with their International Student Exchange Program. After working in Gerontology at Freeport Hospital from 1972-82, Marilyn joined Hooper Holmes Canada Ltd in 1983 and managed the Waterloo office of Portamedic Services until 1991, then continued until 2003 as Marketing Representative. Marilyn joined the K-W Symphony Orchestra Volunteer Committee in 1992 (Chair 1995-97), was a member of the KWSO Board of Directors (1993-99), and represented the KWS on the K-W Opera Board of Directors (1997-99). As a part of the family business, Marilyn was involved with both Schmidt Dickey Pharmacy and Westmount Place Pharmacy beginning in 1970.

Marilyn enjoyed the friendships she made throughout her lifetime, in nursing, and in her association with Kinsmen, Rotary, and Probus. She particularly enjoyed her friends in the Probus Book Club, the Canasta group, the Monday Bridge group, the Golfing Hotties, the Longwood Drive Ladies Lunch Group, and the Hallway Happy Hour friends of Waterpark Place. Marilyn loved to travel and was fortunate to have had husbands, family, and friends who shared her enthusiasm for visiting far off places with her.

Many thanks to the care from all the staff at Clair Hills, the wonderful support from the Palliative Care Nurses in the community, and to Lisaard House staff for making her final days so peaceful.

Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Erb & Good Family Funeral Home, 171 King St. S., Waterloo on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow in the funeral home’s Fireside Reception Room. Interment at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre or Lisaard House Hospice through www.erbgood.com.