Marilyn Joyce (Stone) Hudson

In Loving Memory of
Marilyn
Hudson
(nee Stone)
age 80
Lovingly remembered by her husband Jim, 
and children Cheryl (Bruce), Jackie (Earl) 
and Lyall as well as their families.

Died
April 20, 2024
Rock Lake Hospital
Crystal City, Manitoba

Marilyn’s family 
will celebrate her 
life privately.

Donations in memory of Marilyn may be made to the 
South Central Cancer Resource 400-34 Stephen St. Morden, MB R6M 2G3 or 
Rock Lake Health District Foundation 
Box 130 Crystal City, MB R0K 0N0

Mom was born on January 26, 1944 into meager beginnings when her parents, Florence and Keith Stone, were in year 5 of living in a chicken coop, on a farmstead, in the Crystal River District. They moved into a house within the next year where she would be raised along with her brothers, James and Garnet (born two years apart, ten years after her). Their life was filled with hard work, family, get togethers, music and games. Mom was close with her Dad as she liked being outside and doing things, especially with horses and seemed to enjoy the extra attention of being an only child for 10 years. There’s a story that her Dad bought her a horse named Flicka miles away from home, and Mom rode it all the way back that day. She then had to train it to get near a post as she could not get on to the taller animal without some kind of height increase. Her bond with her Mom showed up in their similar character and personality and desire to take care of others. Mom always had a love of animals and caring for them. 
Mom took her schooling in Crystal River country school until grade 8, took grade 9 as some kind of correspondence with one of her good friends and relatives Pat Stone (Johnson). Those two along with Bev Orr formed their own gang complete with matching leather jackets in Grade 10-12 in Pilot Mound Collegiate. It was also in those years of hanging out with her friends/relatives where she met her life partner James Hudson. They started dating some time while she was in grade 12. Jim was 9 years older than her and had come back to the area after his family had left for Winnipeg some years before. When Mom moved to Winnipeg with Bev Orr to take a course at MTI training center, Dad thought she would probably find someone in there, but she kept coming home every weekend to see him. After two years in Winnipeg, they got married on June 20 of 1964 and moved to Dad’s uncle’s farm (that he had recently acquired) south of Clearwater where they remained together for the rest of their years which would have been 60 years this June and roughly 63 years together. Up until recent years, Mom could count on two hands the number of nights they spent apart during their marriage.
Children were soon to follow with Cheryl Mae born in February of 1965, Jacquelene Marilyn (Jackie) born on Mom’s birthday in 1968 and Lyall James in November of 1970. Their life was Clearwater community based, closely involved with family, immersed in agriculture. Mom was a doer and worked hard outside at whatever job was needed as well as tending to the house and looking after the kids. Life revolved around whatever was happening on the farm. Family gatherings were numerous and commonplace. Working with family or neighbors or in the community was also a regular occurrence. Mom and Dad showed their support of us kid’s activities and ideas by rarely saying “no” and always finding a way to get us to whatever it was. Mom was always the one we asked for permission or looked to for discussion and guidance, help with homework or help with a project.  
Mom was a bit boisterous, always full of life, opinionated and brash. She left no doubt where she stood on something, and pronounced it with her booming voice readily. She also never backed down from a task, stuck rigidly to her schedules and had an unwavering determination at all times. What was maybe less apparent to some people, was her heart of gold, her general caring attitude and her service to others. Dinner was at 1200, not 1155 or 1205, but 12, and everyone who showed up left well fed and taken care of. 
Mom and Dad did have a social life and went on a few trips and the occasional vacation. They liked camping and did that for years. But without question, their unwavering dedication was to the farm that they built together and ran side by side. In fact, the only job Mom refused to do, was running a combine. She hauled a lot of the grain for years for many a harvest crew. She spent countless hours in the fields, barn and feedlots as well as the kitchen. Ultimately, Mom and Dad loved being in their yard and it was their haven. After their roll in the farm slowed down, they focused on chores, yard work and gardening. Mom always had some of the nicest flower gardens around as she seemed to be able to make anything grow and flourish. Her sun room resembled a rain forest with some 38 plants in there to this day. Her pantry also remains well-stocked as even in the midst of her battle with cancer, she still managed to do “her work” as she would say.
As the grandchildren began coming along, Mom spent time with all of them and probably more time showing up to support them in their various activities. She was always on call for whatever was needed, for whatever child, at whatever time. In all their are 9 grandchildren, Dylan, Kacie, Austin, Trent, Faith, Caleb, Noah, Benjamin and Erika.  And six great grandchildren, Damian, Avery, Kaydee, Jayce, Blake and Memphis. 
In Feb 2023, Mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and spent the rest of her life in a fight for more time. She began chemotherapy in March of 2023 and underwent surgery in May. Until August it looked as if a cure was coming. When a terminal diagnosis was given, Mom was still determined to make the most of her days dealing with the ups and downs of various treatments. I think it would be most accurate to say that Mom did not lose the battle with cancer, as in fact she never quit fighting and was able to still function at home until the last few days. She beat cancer over and over until it just became time to rest. Mom and Dad continued to walk side by side until the very end as Mom helped Dad to get ready for a life without her, and he was there for her every day including the 100 or so kisses he gave her on her last day. Mom passed on April 20 in Rock Lake hospital surrounded by family, coincidentally 4 years to the day after her lifelong partner in crime Pat’s passing.
It is said that a life well-lived is finding what fulfills you, including setting goals and having standards. On that basis, Mom lived a very full life. She was unapologetically 100% herself at all times. She wore her emotions on her sleeve and had no problem sharing her thoughts. She was dedicated, determined and loved routines. She was also quick with a one-liner, an old wives tale or a swear word depending upon what the situation called for. She was adored by her grandchildren as she would always painstakingly meet the various demands for specific food requests, sew this, make that. We always thought she could fix or do anything. She spent her life in service of the greater goal of building a better life for her family and taking care of whoever came along.
To single anyone out would not do justice for the others. The doctors and staff at Cancer Care St Boniface, Cancer Care Morden and Rock Lake hospital were all tremendous making this last year as good as possible. The family and extended family and various friends have always been an important part of Mom and Dad ‘s life. Mom is survived by her husband Jim, brother Jim, brother Garnet and wife Marion, and Dad’s 5 sisters Joyce, Margaret, Pat, Linda and Bev all who have been an integral part of their life. 
Mom and Dad were private people and such this will continue to be a private time. Those who desire may donate in Mom’s name to Cancer Care Morden, Rock Lake Hospital or feel free to stop in and spend a few minutes catching up with Dad, bring him a plant for this year’s flower garden in his yard if you so desire...

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