Bernice Marilyn Hodgins-Haight (nee Kirkpatrick) RN, in her 84th year, passed away on November 24th, 2020, at the Sakura House in Woodstock Ontario. With dignity and courage, she acknowledged her illness in October of this year at which time she decided to enjoy her remaining time at home, with her husband Art (Arthur Haight). Her family rallied around her with support to the end. A special thank you to the team of nurses and PSW’s who educated and assisted the family to care for Marilyn in her home. This message comes to you with a ‘K.I.S.S’ (Keep it Simple Stupid) and all of Marilyn’s love – so here it goes. This last month reaffirmed a masterpiece; the astounding beauty of Marilyn. Firm when needed and direct when required. Full of mischief and play, always a giggle and smile. Her life was whole and abundant. Give her a second and she would tell you that she was truly blessed. She would remind you that God does not make any yellow pencils and that He gave her the most amazing, very different, five children. Susan married Walter, Edison married Dawna, Douglas married Carol, Linda married Brad, and Beverley is with Paul. Each child an adventure and miracle, and each brought a special joy to her heart. Put that together and she has thirteen adored grandchildren; Travis, Brooke, Jessaca, Megan, Jolene, Dominic, Edison, Jack, Noah, Luke, Chloe, Glenn and Carol, plus one great-grandchild, Lucas. Marilyn loved the arts and as a young woman had an eye for beauty and fashion, however times were very different for women then. This was frustrating for Marilyn who spent the rest of her life challenging these restraints. She graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in 1958 and worked as a devoted RN for many years in Southern Ontario. Becoming a single mother in 1975, she then became a Shepherd to a flock of milking goats and sheep throughout the 80’s and 90’s. Never did she let her training go. She was always studying and kept abreast of medical techniques, cures and treatments. She raised her children on the farm with a working code of ethics; ‘if the animals haven’t eaten then neither do you!’ Later in life, she welcomed a second chance at love. Art and Marilyn were in their sixth year of marriage, reconnecting at 75 years old after having dated briefly as teens. They travelled from the east coast to Alaska and spent the winters in Florida, creating a happy life together with the full support of Marilyn’s children. Her family was very important to her. The Family she was born into brought her companionship, laughter, and recently a touch of nostalgia and even a few new insights with visits by her brothers Dick (Richard Kirkpatrick, (Kay) Toronto,) and Gerry (Gerald Kirkpatrick, Salford). They reminisced about horticulture (a family passion), fishing (oh the mighty trout), childhood daredevil fun (mostly Marilyn!) and family, including those since past; Dad and Mom (Douglas and Doris Kirkpatrick, Norwich, Ontario), brothers Hughie (Hugh Kirkpatrick (Rosie), Kitchener), Beverly (Beverly Kirkpatrick (Sue), Sweaburg) and first husband (Emerson Hodgins). Many friends, friends that were like family, braved Covid and visited Marilyn often over the past month. This filled everyone’s hearts with love and the room with so much laughter. She munched on ginger snaps with Gennie and Chloe, sipped merlot with Linda, Lou and Jane. She enjoyed visits with Norma (Ol’ Lady Sipple), Marion, Violet and Mary Lou, who brought sweet memories of youth from public school bullies to first dates, from cheerleading to nursing training. Marilyn had many extended children who she considered family, just wait and see, they are all across this country. If you don’t see your name you won’t care because you know you were in her heart and she never let you doubt you were loved and supported. She would pop into their life and check on how they were doing, quite often when they needed it the most. She was happy to report back to all of us children how her greater flock was doing. Ryan Loosemore, becoming a loving father to three wonderful children filled her heart with happiness. Rita Strachan, rising up and making a life for herself in Windsor brought her peace. Rachael Bawn, finding her voice, was seeing God’s gift be received. You see for each of Marilyn’s own children, she would bring in two more. Her door was always open and somehow there was always enough food, hugs and sometimes the harder push to be more. ‘There will be a bench by my grave, so you can sit when you visit me, my grandson will make it. Come talk to me anytime. Love Marilyn.’ A private funeral service was held due to Covid-19. Interment at Amos Cemetery, Dromore. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations to Women’s Emergency Centre, Woodstock (please make your cheque payable to DASO or online at DASO.ca), would be appreciated by the family. Arrangements entrusted to McCulloch-Watson Funeral Home, Durham.
