April 19, 1943 - December 29th, 2021
Marilyn went home to be with the Lord on December 29, 2021, at Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. She is remembered by her daughter and son-in-law, Lori and Barry Remai and their children, Erin, Cara and Alec; son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Charlotte Ash; brother Lawrence Berg and sister Shirley Walker (nee Barnes), “adopted” sister-in-law Luella Moore, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Murray and Carol Ash, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Vernon Ash; parents Oscar Berg and Elizabeth Berg (nee Rosie); brothers Maurice Berg and Collin Berg; sister Betty Love (nee Berg); sister-in-law, Shirley Ash; and infant son, Trevor Ash.
Marilyn was born in Moose Jaw, SK and spent her formative years in the Kelvington, SK area. After graduating from Kelvington High School, she relocated briefly to Regina before settling in Saskatoon. She found work in a diner and at the Post Office in Pinder’s Drug Store. It was at the diner that Marilyn first met Vern Ash, a firefighter, who was a frequent patron; she had caught his eye and after meeting through a connection with her roommate, they began to court and would marry on July 23, 1965. With Vern working full time as a firefighter, Marilyn worked full time as a homemaker and together they reared their children. In support of many other families in her church and community, she often looked after their children on a regular basis.
Marilyn would come to faith in the Lord Jesus not long after her daughter Lori was born; her devotion to Christ would come to be at the core of her life and that of her children, with her husband Vern coming to faith some years later.
With her gift of hospitality, Marilyn and Vern’s home would become a place where people would gather for food, fellowship and music. When her children were older, she turned that gift of hospitality into a profession and spent approximately 10 years working in various progressive roles at the Saskatoon Inn hotel, retiring at age 59.
With a heart for children, Marilyn then spent several years working as a nanny for a family from her church. When her grandchildren began to arrive, Marilyn became an important caregiver while her daughter, Lori, continued to work part time. Marilyn embraced the role of “Nana” with all of her love, affection and care and was intimately involved in the early years of Erin, Cara and Alec. She always took an active interest in all areas of her grandchildren’s lives; as they grew, sleepovers at Nana and Papa’s house gave way to lunches with Nana. She attended all performances, concerts, and recitals of her grandchildren, from preschool Christmas plays to final dance recitals, always bringing a small token and a handwritten card to mark the occasion. She would often email them words of encouragement and let them know she was praying for them for whatever needs they had and proudly told her friends the latest news in her grandchildren’s lives.
As her grandchildren grew up, Marilyn became involved in various ministries at her church; again, her gift of hospitality was used for providing meals for the Alpha program and other events at the church and she was also involved in several prayer groups. In addition to her family, she prayed for all who crossed her path but especially for her pastors and other leadership figures. Marilyn loved gardening, especially flowers; every bed in her yard was filled as well as numerous planter pots, transitioning to container gardening when she and Vern moved to an apartment.
Upon Vern’s retirement, he and Marilyn spent extended periods of the colder parts of the year visiting Terry and Charlotte in Vancouver and made many wonderful new friends there. When Vern became ill, Marilyn devoted herself to his care, making it possible for him to stay at home until his eventual passing in 2014. She continued to share her gifts of hospitality and encouragement to friends and family, baking “Nana buns”, lasagna and other food to share with family and friends and treasured the time spent visiting with them. Marilyn continued to spend time on her own with Terry and Charlotte in Vancouver until the pandemic began, after which time, Terry and Charlotte came to Saskatoon in the summers to visit Marilyn and Lori’s family.
A Celebration of Marilyn’s Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 5 at The Neighbourhood Church (233 Pinehouse Drive, Saskatoon). Special thanks to Dr. Kelly Peesker, the entire medical team in the ICU unit at RUH and all those who prayed for Marilyn and her family during this difficult time.
To further honour Marilyn’s memory, donations to Joy’s Home of Hope orphanage c/o the Rotary Club of Saskatoon (cheques made out to “Saskatoon Rotary Club Charitable Trust Fund Inc.” or e-transfer to “[email protected]”) will be gratefully accepted.
Arrangements are in the care of David Schurr – Mourning Glory Funeral Services (306-978-5200)
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