Obituary of Marilyn Wood-Sparrow

Marilyn Wood-Sparrow 1961-2017 Marilyn Wood-Sparrow passed away peacefully at St. Paul’s Hospital surrounded by her family on February 20, 2017. Marilyn is survived by her loving family, husband Craig, daughter Miranda (Catlin), son Chase, daughter Carlin, and son Jaden. Marilyn is also survived by her parents Earle and Dorothy Wood, sister Maureen and her husband Art Colclough, mother-in-law Barbara Sparrow and sisters-in-law, Connie Sparrow (Brian Brannagan) and Shelley (Ken) Sowter. Marilyn has many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. Marilyn was pre-deceased by her father-in-law Merle Sparrow and brother-in-law Blaine Sparrow. Marilyn was born on September 24, 1961 in Saskatoon. She loved her family's farm at Vanscoy. Marilyn attended Carolyn Robbins elementary school and Mount Royal school. Marilyn moved to Edmonton. She attended and graduated from Concordia Lutheran College High School. There Marilyn met and made many lifelong friends. Marilyn graduated as an Accounting Technician from NAIT in Edmonton. Following several interesting jobs and many life experiences, Marilyn returned to Saskatchewan in 1985. She met Craig Sparrow who knew immediately she was the most beautiful girl in the world. They were married in 1987.Farm life was always exciting and seldom easy. Marilyn enjoyed the purebred cattle industry and the people. Marilyn was for many years as comfortable driving machinery as she was adept at raising her lovely family. Marilyn raised her four children teaching by her example. Marilyn imparted her zest for life and living, enjoying each moment and planning for the next moment. There were always yearly trips for the family, often camping, either tents or tent trailers. Each trip was tailored to a particular child or a particular lesson. Marilyn loved it when the kids loved their activities. Marilyn loved the simplicity and closeness of having friends join her and her family for close companionship around the campfires and fire pits in their back yard or in their house of which Marilyn never tired of saying “ I love my house”. Marilyn put a lot of effort and caring into her community. She spent a number of years dedicated to the Vanscoy and District Ag Society and the Vanscoy Multiple 4-H Club. Marilyn followed and participated in all the activities of her children, band , Pony Club, dance, soccer, hockey, and 4-H. Their interests were her interests. Marilyn always encouraged education beyond high school and is immensely proud of the accomplishments of each of her children. It was Marilyn's special attachment, welcoming attitude and openness with all the friends of her children that gave her a special place with them. As the children graduated from high school and became adults, Marilyn cultivated friendships in the community as well as involving herself in learning to play golf with her girlfriends and curling in Delisle with the ladies. Marilyn took great pleasure and pride in her professional life. She was an accomplished accountant, able to complete her work accurately, efficiently and quickly. She was always able to multitask both physically and mentally in a way that Craig could only dream about. Marilyn's special talents lay in being very aware of the emotions of those surrounding her and those she loves. Straightforward and yet compassionate, wise and direct. Marilyn endeared herself to many in her life lived too briefly. In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate donations to the Canadian Cancer Society in Marilyn’s name.