It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Marilyn Hope Jolie of Kimberley, BC.

A titan of the community, Marilyn has left an indelible footprint on the city of Kimberley. Whether it was the realty sign with her smiling face welcoming you into Kimberley, or the delicious food that was served at her restaurants for decades, she will always be remembered for her years of passionate service.

Born in Vancouver, Marilyn was a great-granddaughter of Gulf Island pioneers on North Pender Island. Her family moved to Kimberley in 1964, where she graduated from Selkirk Secondary in 1966 and, a year later, met and married the love of her life, Harvey Jolie.

Marilyn began her career at BC Tel as an operator and rose into management, overseeing the changeover from switchboards to automated systems. But her true calling was entrepreneurship. In 1977 she purchased Mac’s (Townsite Grocery), and from there built two decades of successful businesses in Kimberley, including Dixie Lee — which later transformed into Peppers. Along the way she found time to create and run Meister Burger, a much-loved ceramic shop, and a consignment store for local artists.

Marilyn’s drive extended to serving her community. As a city councilor from 2000 to 2004, she spearheaded the Marysville fire station, the indoor aquatic centre, and the reuse centre at the transfer station, affectionately known as “Macy’s.” Never one to slow down, in 2004 she became a real estate agent, where she again rose to the top of the pack and earned the nickname “The Queen of the Hill” with an unbelievable 67 listings at once. Marilyn also found time to be a member of the Rotary Club.

She was predeceased by her parents, Leonard and Marie Corbett; her beloved husband, Harvey; and her brothers, Kenneth and Mac. She will be deeply missed by her children, Michael Paul, Sara Elizabeth, and Benjamin Cordell; her grandchildren, Trenan Roy, Elnora Jolie, Dryden and Aiden Close and their father Darren; her best friend and sister, Sarah Jane Aitken (Corbett); and her older sister, Doris Marie Kenyon of Duncan, BC.

Her phenomenal baking, elaborate dinners, and cherry chocolates will be fondly missed.

We would like to send special thanks to Dr Jennifer Grossman, Dr Sara Kalechstein and Dr Shaun Vanzyl.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kimberley Helping Hands Food Bank in her memory.

A Memorial Service for Marilyn will be announced at a later time.

mcphersonfh.com