Mrs. Marline Francis Ilijow, 85 years old of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Wednesday May 17th in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Hospice Unit with immediate family and close friends by her side.
Marline was born on February 10th 1938 to the late Nellie and Frank Zayette in Toronto, Ontario. She worked for Domtar Packaging in Red Rock for many years as the Benefits Coordinator. She retired in 1999 and devoted her time to caring for her husband Stan who was diagnosed with cancer. After his passing in 2001 Marline worked for the Catholic school board until she retired from that position in 2020. Marline also served as the president for Nipigon Minor Hockey and volunteered wherever she could be utilized with the Nipigon figure Skating Club. She also volunteered with her good friend Shirley Dunville at the Red Rock Folklore Festival every year.
Marline loved to travel and always planned yearly family vacations to Las Vegas, Mexico, the Bahamas, Florida and Arizona. Family was paramount to Marline as she was the glue that bonded the family for many years. She gave everything she had to keep the small family close and for the most part was successful with all but a couple of family members who chose otherwise.
Marline was predeceased by her parents Frank and Nellie Zayette, her husband Stan Ilijow, daughter Gloria Tennant and numerous aunts and uncles. She is survived by her only son Daniel Ilijow and partner Kellianne Fanti of Thunder Bay, granddaughter Tara Lee Marline Hilpisch, husband AJ Hilpisch and great grandchildren Colton and Ellie Jo of Oakdale, Minnesota, grandson Troy Ilijow and fiancé Ashleigh O’Connor and little Bella of Toronto, Ontario along with great granddaughter Jada Hudson Ilijow of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She is also survived by Mike Tenant and Marlo Tenant. We must also mention the love of her life, little fur baby Nikki, who has always been by her side for the past 16 years.
Marline has also been cared for by her close friends Shirley Dunville and Bob MacMillan who always made themselves available to take her to doctor’s appointments, shopping and any other outing she wanted to go on. To the doctors and nurses at the Thunder Bay Regional 1A and Hospice 4 North at St. Joseph’s Hospital we cannot thank you enough for all the care and compassion you displayed to us and how comfortable you made mom feel in the last few weeks of her life. This will never be forgotten.
According to her wishes Marline has been cremated. A celebration of life for mom will be held on June 23rd at 11:00 am in the chapel of the Annunciation of Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Nipigon. Interment in Cliffside Cemetery will follow the church service.
In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Joseph’s Care Group Hospice Unit.
