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Marilyn Belva Kocon, 1944-2009
Marilyn Kocon passed away peacefully on March 30, 2009, at the age of 64 years.
Marilyn Belva Stewart was born at the High Prairie Hospital on Sept. 17, 1944. She was the second child of her parents, John and Pearl Stewart, and little sister to Keith. Four years later her younger sister, Linda, was born. Marilyn was raised on the Stewart family farm south of town.
In 1962 at the age of 18 she met Marshall, the man of her dreams. They married on her nineteenth birthday and they set up their home in the Martin Cabins in High Prairie. On Aug. 6, 1964 her only child, David, was born. In 1968 the country life was calling, so they packed up and moved to the Kocon family farm in the Gilwood area.
Over the years Marilyn was like a second mother to many others who stayed at her home for short and sometimes extended periods of time. She had an open door policy to anyone who needed a place to stay.
Marilyn worked at Social Services as a secretary for 18 years. She was always a morning person and was the first to arrive every morning. Everyone she worked with always had a fresh cup of coffee ready to start his or her day with. She loved to throw parties and frequently had her peers and friends over for a barbeque. Whenever there was a staff member new to High Prairie, she would have them over for a meal to welcome them into the community.
In 1989 her son, David, married Paulette. She loved and treated her like she was her own daughter. In 1992 Marilyn had her first grandchild, Ashlee, and in 1994 along came Ryan. She loved her grandchildren dearly. She never missed an opportunity to let them know how proud she was of their accomplishments, no matter how small they were.
Marilyn loved to socialize. Who hasn’t heard her say, “Stop by for coffee”. Almost every day she and Marshall would come to town shortly before lunch to reserve a table at the local cafe and visit with whomever happened to stop by. Anyone was welcome at his or her table.
Marilyn’s two, most favorite hobbies were reading and gardening. Anything about gardening, health, and nature was the preferred topic. She loved flowers. Every spring she could hardly wait for the new seed catalogues to arrive, and for a trip to one of the greenhouses. She made the most beautiful flower pots, and took pride in keeping them looking perfect long after the first frost of the year.
In the summer of 2006 Marilyn’s health began to fail, so she and Marshall moved from the Gilwood area into her childhood home just south of town to be closer to David and his family.
Marilyn was such a strong, courageous person, a true fighter in every sense of the word. Through everything Marilyn kept a positive attitude and a smile on her face. She was an inspiration to others who were also going through difficult times. Marilyn was a friend to so many. She would be there for you whether it was in happy times or sorrow. Marilyn will be deeply missed by so many.
Marilyn leaves to mourn: her husband Marshall Kocon; brother Keith (Faye) Stewart; sister Linda Sherris; son David (Paulette) Kocon; grandchildren Ashlee and Ryan Kocon.
She was predeceased by both her parents and brother-in-law Wayne Sherris.
A celebration of life was held at the Elks Hall in High Prairie on April 5 at 11 a.m.
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