Marlene Mulligan

Marlene Elizabeth Anne Mulligan (Simpson) passed away on Oct 24th, 2021. Just as the sun was coming up on that morning, the sunshine in our lives was setting and leaving us forever.  Marlene was born on August 23rd, 1952 to Howard and Dorothy Simpson (Deceased) at the Burks Falls Hospital and went to school in Burks Falls.  She was an excellent student always had high grades. She was a hard worker  and as a young child she cared for her father until he was forced to go into long term care.  During the summers she worked at Dot Gerow's bakery in Burks Falls and later at Bishops Pharmacy. After she finished High School she went to Nipissing University in North Bay and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree.

In 1974 she married Merv Mulligan from Sprucedale and they moved to Lorraine Valley (Haileybury) where their two boys Ben and Dan were born. They then moved back to Sprucedale where Marlene worked again at Bishops Pharmacy. When she was 37 years old she went back to University and earned her Bachelor of Education degree. We were so proud of her to get her degree and fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher.

She taught at Evergreen Heights Education Centre (Emsdale) until she retired. At Evergreen Heights she touched the lives of many students that she loved and respected and she always said that she never had a bad student. They were all good kids to her.

After she retired Marlene loved working in her garden, having family gatherings and she especially loved taking her grandchildren camping to music festivals in the summer. In the winter she enjoyed cross country skiing on our property and preparing for Christmas. When her sons asked her to limit her presents to just two Christmas presents for each grandchild she got one big box for each of them and put 5 or more presents in each box as a work around.

Marlene leaves behind her husband of 47 years Merv, her sons Ben and Dan, her daughter-in-law Wendy and four grand daughters of whom she was so very  proud: Jadeyn, Kenzie, Alina and Amaya. She leaves behind her sister Debbie Simpson and her sister in law Deb Griffiths (Robin), but above all else she  leaves the biggest hole in all of our hearts.

The family would like to thank Dr. Dempster, Dr. Harrold, Dr. Kent, and Dr. Jindal for their care and compassion. We would also like to thank the staff in the Chemo wing especially Norma who gave Marlene excellent attention while she was ill. And we would also like to thank the excellent nursing staff at the Huntsville hospital for their care and respect while Marlene was there. Their care and compassion for Marlene was overwhelming. They all treated Marlene with the utmost dignity.

As per Marlene's wishes, no funeral services will be conducted.  A small family graveside service was held in the Sprucedale Cemetery.

The family would appreciate donations to the Huntsville Hospital in lieu of Flowers. Thank you.