Obituary

It is with grief leavened with gratitude that the family of Marilyn Allan announces her death on Tuesday November 11, 2025, at the age of 90 years. She died in peace, secure in a great love.  Grieving her loss are her children, Rev. David Allan (Jr.) (Phyllis Davidson Allan), Elizabeth Allan (Doug Brewer), and Andrew Allan (Lisa Chartrand) and her daughter, Morgan, grandchildren Kaleb and Forbes Sang, Parker Allan, and Norah and Rachel Allan, her siblings Donald Grant (Laurelyn), Eleanor James (late Norman), sister-in-law Hilda Grant (late Rea Grant, late Kenneth Graham), brother-in-law William Allan (Kathy) and sister-in-law Winnifred Kieswetter (Carl), numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends.  Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, Melvin and Dorothy (Adsett) Grant, her husband Rev. David Allan Sr. and her brother Rev. J. Rea Grant. Marilyn was born on September 16, 1935, her parents’ first-born child.  She would be followed by Rea, Don and Eleanor. Marilyn grew up on the family farm in Eramosa Twp, attended a one room country school house and then high school in Fergus, and studied at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kitchener, becoming an RN. After her father died in 1957, the family farm was sold and a move was made to Fergus. Through her brother Rea she met a young man from Woodstock, Ontario named David Allan when both were studying at Emmanuel College in Toronto to become United Church ministers.  David said she was, “the cutest thing he had ever seen,” and they were married in 1961. David Jr, arrived in 1962, Elizabeth in 1964 and Andrew in 1967. They started out in Wheatley, Ontario, moving to Windsor after a few years and then to Toronto in 1969.  In 1974 they bought a house for the first time, in Oakville, and that became the family home. Marilyn was devoted to her children, was immensely proud of them, and advocated for, counselled, nourished and of course nursed them through thick and thin.  She delighted in her grandchildren and their accomplishments too. After a number of years as a stay-at-home mom she returned to her nursing career, working at Extendicare in North York, Grace Hospital in Toronto, with the VON in Halton, and later volunteering as a companion to seniors. She maintained a garden, took pottery classes, joined an outdoor club, going on cross country skiing trips for many winters, and volunteered at her children’s school. She even went on a hot air balloon ride.  Marilyn liked to read, particularly the work of Margaret Lawrence, was an independent thinker, and held strong opinions, particularly when it came to politics. She was not always aligned with the leanings of her equally passionate husband!  Marilyn was keenly interested in her family history and sought to preserve it, researching the Scottish roots of the Grants and the Irish roots of the Reas, and so continuing the interest of her father. She was forever making copies of old family photographs and sending them to us. Much of this material is now in the Wellington County Museum & Archives. A highlight of her life was a trip she made to Ireland, and another time, to Greece and Turkey. Marilyn was first and foremost a caregiver, as a mom, and as a nurse. When her mom developed dementia, she cared for her in the family home in Oakville for a number of years. When her husband developed a cascading series of illnesses after he retired, she devoted her days to his care and advocated for him with passion until his death in 2014. In time it was her family’s turn to care for her, as her loss of memory and mobility increased. She met the change with grace and with a steady faith, and moved into a senior’s residence in Burlington. There her nursing instincts remained, helping others as long as she could. Despite the disease that took away so much, we will always treasure the funny moments, her laughter and smiles, and her tight hugs. We will always, always treasure her love. A service of grateful remembrance will be held at 11:00am with a reception to follow on Friday November 21, 2025 at Melville United Church, 300 St. Andrew St. West, Fergus, Ontario, with Rev. Linda Butler presiding.  As per Marilyn’s wishes, there will not be any visitation. Following the reception, a private family service of committal will take place at the Rea Cemetery where she will be laid to rest alongside her husband and her cherished ancestors, nestled in the countryside where she was raised and that she so loved. At her request, donations in Marilyn’s memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders or to UNICEF.