Marilyn Jean Carruthers kicked cancer’s ass for 30 plus years. The "miracle patient" finally lost the battle Sept 20th, 2025. She passed peacefully in the knowledge that she was surrounded by her family and loved ones.
Ethel May Fraser and Lawrence Collie Fraser welcomed Marilyn into this world Dec. 9th, 1947. She was later joined by her twisted sisters: Janet (Bruce Ervin), Barb (Dave Conrad), and Colleen (Glenn Moser). She was loved by her two sons, Jeff (Lori) and Jamie (Rebecca), who frequently had to make excuses to get off the phone with her. Mom was never shy to share a story once, twice or three times over with whoever she could corner. Mom could sort of cook, mostly bland dishes. This catapulted her sons’ interest in spicing up their culinary skills. The turning point was when she attempted to make French bread, a creation that was better used in the backyard as a baseball bat. (This did happen.)
Mom loved food, family, friends and music but her biggest joy came from her amazing grandchildren whom she loved and cherished; Connor and Liam in North Bay and Molly and Max in Dartmouth. She was extremely proud of their accomplishments and of the exceptional young adults they’ve become. Mom had amazing friends who supported her through life, especially at the end as evidenced by the stream of visitors coming to see her. The importance and value of friendship was an easy lesson to learn.
If you ever wanted to know your opinion about something, you could just ask Mom. She shared her opinion frequently with anyone who would listen and even those who didn’t want to listen. She did so with Dad for 53 years. He was a good man. Although she was free to give her opinion, she also gave freely of her time and energy.
Those involved with the New Glasgow Music Festival had the privilege of working with Marilyn for 40 plus years. She worked in many roles, working on the program, scheduling, and as treasurer. For 30 plus years she volunteered at the deCoste Entertainment Centre taking tickets and seating people while Phil worked the bar. The fringe benefit of this is that she got to see a heck of a lot of great shows for free!
Mom also volunteered with The Lions Club, Meals on Wheels and was a founding member of the Abreast a River Dragon Boat Team. As a founding member of this team, she was recently inducted into the Pictou County Sports Hall of Fame, sadly leaving her son Jamie as the only family member out of this exclusive club.
Mom enjoyed attending concerts and plays, watching her kids and grandkids participate in their endeavours, and travelling with friends and Phil. She taught her sons early the value of a bargain by dragging them from clearance rack to clearance rack on family trips.
The Palliative Support Group (PALS) played a huge role in Mom’s life supporting her through her initial cancer diagnoses until the very end. The kindness, compassion and support she received from this group was invaluable and her family will be forever grateful.
Dr. Pat Craig, Dr. Gregor MacLean, VON and Continuing Care provided amazing care for many years. The family can’t thank the staff at Glen Haven enough for these past months.
This obituary would have been approved by Phil Carruthers.
Visitation will be held at R.H. Porter Funeral Home. 55 Almont Ave., New Glasgow, on Friday, September 26th from 2-4 and 7-9pm. A Celebration of Life will be held in Summer 2026. Donations in her memory may be made to the deCoste Performing Arts Centre or the Pictou County Palliative Care Society.