July 4, 1943 - December 12, 2024
Our families are so very sad to say goodbye to Marilyn Sparkes Emsley (nèe Loney) on December 12 2024 when she died of complications from lymphoma at 81 years old, leaving her husband Roger Emsley with their eight wonderful loved-filled years of marriage together and memories for a lifetime, and as well her families.
Marilyn was the youngest of three children born to her parents Mary (Oxenham) and Stan Loney on July 4 1943. Both her parents, and her sister Doreen Foxwell and brother Ed Loney predeceased her.
Marilyn lived energetically and loved with vivacity, for each and every one of those 81 years. She was born in Vancouver and lived almost her whole life in BC. She moved with her parents from the Okanagan to White Rock in 1955, when she was age twelve.
Marilyn's energy and love of life shone through in everything she did. She had a varied work life culminating in a very successful career as a real estate professional and property manager. She volunteered for a number of years at the Delta Hospital Thrift Store. She was fit and active, liked swimming, participated in the Sun Run, took up golf and was a long time member of Beach Grove Golf Club (3 holes -in-one!).
After leaving school she married Ted Lumley in 1960, and gave birth to son David and daughter Susan. She divorced in 1968 and later married Bernie Sparkes, next giving birth to her second daughter Selena. She moved to Tsawwassen in 1970 and divorced for a second time shortly after. Tsawwassen remained her home for the rest of her life and Marilyn remained unmarried until 2016 when she married Roger Emsley.
Marilyn was a close friend of Angela Emsley, Roger's first wife who died in May 2016 and much loved by both of them. Together with Roger they enjoyed living in Beach Grove Tsawwassen, blessed with a waterfront property where every day gave them new views and experiences of the ever-changing Birdlife, the always moving tidal waters of Boundary Bay and the magnificent views of Mount Baker. Marilyn loved her home and enjoyed renovating and updating their property, played the piano and spent many happy hours gardening and working outside in the summer. She and Roger travelled extensively, exploring new places both internationally and within Canada. Summer for them was a time to enjoy their Boundary Bay-facing home and garden, with glasses of wine every evening on their patio. They loved to have family members and friends come and join them.
Marilyn and Roger share a deep commitment to their Christian faith. They married in 2016 at All Saints Anglican Church in Ladner and attended worship every Sunday at Benediction Lutheran Church in Tsawwassen as active members of their faith community.
Marilyn leaves behind a wonderful blended family: son David (wife Glynis, their daughters Brianne and Mariah, and their two granddaughters Lake and Olive - Marilyn's two great granddaughters); daughter Susan (husband Dewayne); and daughter Selena (her son Karsten and daughter Maya). On Roger's side: in the UK his sister Viv (husband Bob and their family); in Canada two daughters - Kirsty (husband Cory, sons Harrison and Parker); Tara (husband Mike, daughters Kate and Emma and son Jack); and as well the Loney family clan of which Marilyn was the matriarch, and her cousins, nephews and nieces. She was well loved by her many friends in Delta and elsewhere in Canada and around the world.
Marilyn was healthy and energetic throughout her life only becoming ill during a trip with Roger to France in summer 2024. When they returned home she was diagnosed with lymphoma and started treatment. However the cancer overwhelmed her, and ended her life. Our thanks to the staff of the Richmond General Hospital and the Cancer Clinic and to the Salvation Army Rotary Hospice House in Richmond. In lieu of flowers please donate to the BC Cancer Society, and to the Salvation Army.
Her funeral service and celebration of life will be held at Benediction Lutheran Church Tsawwassen at a date to be confirmed.