Obituaries

MARGUERITE MARILYN MCKELLAR
February 11, 1947 – February 28, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marguerite Marilyn McKellar on Friday, February 28, 2025, while on vacation in Florida.

Marilyn was born in Brandon, MB on February 11, 1947. She was predeceased by her father Stanley Neil McKellar, mother Georgia Mary Drader and her beautiful daughter, Sonja Janz. She is survived by her partner Harold (Hal) Korne, her son Steven Janz her grandchildren Amy and Andrew Janz, Trisha Bragg (Gord) her grandchildren Cole, Payton and Parker Bragg, her daughter-in-law Jody Janz, her sister Barbara Coakwell (Gerr), her nephews Tim and Todd Coakwell.

Marilyn started her schooling in Margaret, MB for grades 1-10 and then had to bus to Boissevain, MB for grades 11-12. From there she moved to Brandon, MB for university. While there as a 17 year old student, she was going to take pharmacy but was too young and was directed to go into education. When she completed university, she graduated as a teacher. Her first job was in Flin Flon, MB as a grade 8 teacher. She then moved to St. Francois Xavier, MB as a principal. She missed teaching and decided to become a teacher at Elie High School, there, was not only a teacher but also a Phys-Ed teacher and was a stage play director. It was soon after that she went to the Province of Manitoba through the University of Manitoba and became a department of Education special Education Coordinator, with emphasis of training all the resource teachers in the province which lasted a few years. After that she moved to the University of Manitoba as a faculty advisor, where she would advise 3rd and 4th year students guiding them in their futures as teachers on how to prepare for their classrooms, grading, discussing and recommending for improvement for their teaching careers.

After 36 years she had to retire to look after her daughter Sonja as she fought cancer. After a few years of retirement, duty called her back and she took a teaching position in a one-room school at Starlight Hutterite Colony. She had a very successful stint before retiring to look after her own health.

Marilyn loved sports such as curling, hockey, baseball, she also kayaked in both Pacific and Atlantic oceans. She enjoyed playing cards, going to the theaters such as Manitoba Theater Centre and the Warehouse Theater, where she also volunteered for over 25 years. She started a Red Hat book club which ran for over 25 years.

Marilyn and Hal loved to travel, they saw most of the Caribbean and Mediterranean Islands. She also travelled by car to all the Canadian Provinces, Yukon, Alaska, and the Northwest Territories. Marilyn also drove all 49 American states missing only Vermont. Also saw many European places and most of Brazil.

Marilyn was a super grandma to Amy, Andrew, Cole, Payton and Parker. She was involved in many ways from watching their sporting events, helping with homework when needed, but especially helping guide them for success in their futures.

Marilyn hosted many international students in her home throughout the years, approximately 27. Many of them were still in communication with her to this day.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Friday, May 23, 2025 at 10:00 a.m at Wojcik’s Funeral Chapel located at 2157 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB.

Any donations, if desired, can be made to CancerCare Manitoba.