Marilyn Pearl Stubbs Cooney

Marilyn Pearl Stubbs Cooney – July 6, 1944 – February 13, 2024

Sadly, Marilyn passed away suddenly the morning of February 13, 2024, at the age of 79, with her husband Clare Cooney by her side.

Marilyn is predeceased by her parents June Stubbs Raeburn, Ralph Stubbs, Step Father Alex Raeburn and Step Brother Craig Raeburn.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 61 years Clare Cooney (Parksville, BC), daughter Chris Johnson (Barry) Peace River, AB, son Kent Cooney (Chantal) Parksville, BC, grandchildren Creighton Johnson (Jennifer) Peace River, AB, Caroline Johnson (Braydon Robert) St. Isidore, AB, Curtis Johnson (Taylor) Peace River, AB and her newest title, Great Grandmother, “GiGi” to Camden, Jack and Aspyn. Marilyn enjoyed a large family gathering this past Thanksgiving in Parksville.

Marilyn’s sister Mary Cooney (Lyle) Alton, ON, niece Cathy Cooney Shay (Doug) Ospringe, ON, step sister Lynn Baker (Bill) Windsor, ON, step brother John Raeburn (Helen) Orangeville, ON, as well as all her Stubbs, Nicholson, and Field cousins, and the extended Raeburn, Cooney and Stoutenburg families. A special mention and recognition to Howard Curran for always being there for our family.

Marilyn grew up in Alton, a small village in Ontario. Marilyn grew up surrounded with a loving, tightly knit family where art and music played a fundamental aspect throughout her life.

Marilyn met Clare through her sister who just so happened to be dating Clare’s brother Lyle. They started and raised their family (Chris and Kent) in and around the Orangeville area.  Marilyn and Clare worked together for years in the Advertising business where Marilyn’s talents as an artist flourished and immensely helped the company grow into a very successful business.

Marilyn had so many talents, cooking, painting, music and gardening to name a few.

She loved to bring pies and moth ball salad to many of the family events. She loved to spend time in the kitchen and show off her cooking skills, not measuring anything, to her children, niece and grand-children.

Her passion for art and drawing started at a young age and developed over the years.

Marilyn loved her studio at the Alton Mill Arts Centre and would spend hours working on her artwork.  She had many friends and soon learned her new medium would be silk painting with dye. This carried on and was a big part of this new passion on her next life journey in Parksville, BC.  Marilyn belonged to the Vancouver Island Silk Painters Group and was a signature member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and a member of the Arrowsmith Chapter of the FCA.  She hosted many meetings and spent time helping to organize the Art Exhibits at the various galleries. Marilyn also loved teaching and supporting new members and guided them through their own art journey.

Music was also a tremendous part of her life growing up.  Marilyn would get together with her sister and cousins, known as The Cousin Band and play music. She was so blessed to have joined a local band, in Parksville, The Ramblers.  Marilyn loved performing with her band mates at all the local Senior Centers and various venues around Parksville.  She played the bass guitar and hosted most of the band practices in her home.  Marilyn also played many instruments including the piano and banjo.

Marilyn’s love for animals also was apparent to everyone including the Racoons in Stoney Creek.  She would feed them grapes with a side of cat food nightly! Marilyn could always be seen with an Irish Setter dog by her side plus a cat or two.

After retirement, Marilyn’s adventures did not stop.  She travelled on a freight ocean liner with fellow artists to Scotland and then on another trip up the West Coast to Alaska.  She had many stories from these trips.  Marilyn also went to Japan with her niece to teach candle making and also enjoyed a guided sightseeing tour.  Marilyn loved history and took every opportunity to enhance her knowledge.

Marilyn’s love of her family and friends was abundant and she will be immensely missed. Her immediate cousins were like siblings and she had many stories about all their adventures. They are all still close to this day.  Marilyn had strong relationships and spoke daily with her sister Mary June always ending the conversation with I love you.

As per Marilyn’s wishes there will be no service.  A celebration of life will take place on Saturday July 6, 2024 at 1:00 PM in the Serenity Room at Yates Memorial Services in Parksville, BC as well as a Celebration of life on Sunday September 15, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Alton Mill Arts Centre in Ontario.

In lieu of flowers, donations, if desired, can be made to the Canadian Wildlife Federation or an SPCA of your choice.

 Marilyn’s Perspective:

“Everything in life has a connection.  As an artist and musician, the joy of expression is paramount with touching the senses of others and one’s self.  It is the internal challenge that keeps one striving to reach the next plane of knowledge and achievement.  The gift of being able to create through art is a medium for one to simultaneously give and receive love.”