Morrell Marlin

Morrell, Marlin Frances (nee Bracewell)

Oct 14, 1944 – Aug 13, 2025

It is with great sadness and yet such a profound peace, that we announce the death of our beloved wife, mom and grandma, Marlin, in Toronto after a courageous and faith-filled journey with ovarian cancer. So loved by her husband of 60 years, Rod, their children, Andrea (Ross), Scott (Shannon) and John (Sarah) and their nine grandchildren (Allison & Matthew Deebank, Ryan, Julia, Evan & Lyla, and Clare, Lily & Erin). Predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Lillian, brothers Garth and Ross, niece Toby and survived by her youngest brother, Carl and eight nephews and seven nieces.

Devoted Christian, daughter, sister, cousin, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, friend, teacher, mentor and volunteer are the roles and relationships Marlin most cherished; her strong faith in her Saviour the foundation of each one.

Born in Montreal, Marlin started her teaching career there (graduating from MacDonald College/McGill and Sir George Williams University/Concordia) teaching full-time for seven years before giving it up to raise their three children. The family moved to Etobicoke in 1978. In 1987 she became an Occasional Teacher with the Etobicoke Board winning the Occasional Teacher of the Year Award in 1996.

In 1986 Marlin became a volunteer at Etobicoke General Hospital – a role near and dear to her heart and one she faithfully kept until this July. Marlin received the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal (2002), the Urban Hero Award (2020) and the Kay Blair Community Service Award (2023 and 2024) for her volunteering. Her fundraising efforts resulted in hundreds of thousands of dollars raised for the hospital and she played a part in the creation of the new patient tower at EGH, the Etobicoke Wellness Centre and securing vital investments in Osler’s medical equipment.

The family started attending Kingsway Baptist Church in 1979 where Marlin held many leadership roles and like her parents, shared her love of music by singing in the Choir and leading Children’s Choir. She also inherited the gift of hospitality from her parents; she and Rod hosting the church’s monthly new-comer luncheons. Sunday night family dinners were a regular calendar date and there was always an extra chair and helping for any of the kids’ friends who wanted to stay for dinner.

She treasured her times in Mille-Isles (QC) with family and turkey relatives, cruising the scene in Fort Lauderdale on her bike with Rod, gardening like her father Arthur, and adventures with Rod and friends traveling all over the world. She kept fit for these escapades by puttering constantly at home and at the cottage on Bass Lake, finding uses for things to avoid throwing them out. She was a recycler before it became a thing, lovingly packing Rod and their kids' lunches in milk bags and leftovers in old margarine or yogurt containers.

The family would like to thank Dr. Vicus and the wonderful team at Sunnybrook for helping Marlin through her ovarian cancer diagnosis (2023), treatment and care and for rallying around us during her recent brief hospitalization.

A Celebration of Life Service will take place Sept. 27, 2:00pm at Kingsway Baptist Church, 41 Birchview Blvd, Etobicoke with a Reception immediately following at 2:45pm in the lower auditorium. The Service will also be live streamed for those unable to attend in person. Please RSVP by Sept. 22, 2025 to morrell.andrea@sympatico.ca to receive log-in details.

In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with her wishes and love for the hospital where she dedicated over 35 years, donations may be made In Memory of Marlin Morrell to William Osler Health System Foundation, Etobicoke General Hospital

She will be deeply missed yet forever remembered for her faith, kindness, hope and love.