Marilyn Ann Little was born May 23, 1951 in Nipawin SK, the second of six children to Norman and Louise Paisley. Her older sister died in infancy so Marilyn became the eldest big sister. From early years she was in charge of her siblings, while doing what kids of her generation did – helping with gardening, housework, farmwork but still having time to have fun!
She met Lorne Little through church youth group in 1967 and they married July 3, 1971. The young couple moved to Burns Lake, BC in March of 1972 where they were blessed with their son, Norman at Christmas that year. They moved back to Carrot River in March of 1973, then to Meota, SK to work on a dairy farm in November of 1973 for two years. The pull of farming and family brought them back to Carrot River in the fall of 1975; living several place and farms until settling back on the Little Family homestead in 1982. They added to their family with Noel in October of 1977 and adopted Twila in August of 1981. In October 1984 they lost everything in a fire but Marilyn simply said, “We start over. “ In November 2003 they moved into their current home in Carrot River.
Raising a family and farm life was busy! Gardening, canning, selling milk and cream were continuous tasks! As the kids got older Marilyn went back to school to obtain her Nurse’s Aide Certification and worked at the nursing home for several years. She transferred to housekeeping until retirement. Prior to this she worked for years as a waitress at Bud’s Restaurant. She was never shy to work! Everyone knew her as friendly, funny and quick to give you a smart remark if you teased her!
The kids recall the best days were coming home from school and walking in to the smell of homemade bread! Although she was a more strict disciplinarian, they grew to know it was only to guide them into the people they are now – all done with love!
She was a hard worker, like her mother and inherited her kindness but also her short fuse. Haha! But she would never be cross long, always forgave and got on quickly with the day.
Marilyn’s faith was important to her and she strived to raise her family with Christian values. Even with the normal disputes that are part of life, she loved them completely and only wanted them to be the best they could be! She shared with them her love of sports; football, hockey and baseball.
She had some health problems over her life but her final illness was sudden and unexpected. Diagnosed with aggressive Leukemia in August, they gave her only days, but she persisted for a month. This gave her time to talk with all her family and relay her love and wishes for them. She never claimed a “poor me” persona because her faith was directing her to Heaven. Her last and only wish was for her family to follow God too, so she can see them in Heaven.
Marilyn was predeceased by: parents Norman and Louise Paisley, brothers Wayne and Donald, sisters Linda and Donna, in-laws Clayton and Ruth Little and brothers-in-law Laurie Little and David Grout.
She is survived by: husband Lorne Little, sons Norman (Jaxon), Noel (Madison Shurniak), daughter Twila (Jasmine and Ethan), acquired granddaughters Sonora and Vivienne Hockley, sister Brenda Paisley, in-laws Lyle (Dianne) Little, Lois Grout, Linda Little, Marion Paisley (Terry Karpenko), numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and special companion her dog Max.