Obituary of Marilyn Babcock

Alice “Marilyn” Babcock was born in Provost, Alberta on March 12, 1939 to Jim and Ida Todd.  She was the little sister to Rodney and Dave.  For the first year of her life, they lived around the Metiskow area and in the spring of 1940 the family moved south of Czar to the current location of Todd Ranch, which would be her home for the next 18 years.

She attended the one room school house of Lakesend until Good Luck reopened in 1949 where she continued her education until it closed in 1955 when she was 15-years-old.  She rode her horse or walked to school with her brothers.  When Good Luck closed, she boarded in Sedgwick and attended school for a brief time.  School was not one of her loves even though she had a Gramma that was a school teacher.

She worked for Kenny and Bette Anderson for a period of time looking after their kids and cooking.  She lived at home until April of 1958 when she married Ronnie Rolls and they resided on their farm south of Veteran.  Tragically 15 months later Ronnie passed away of cancer.  In 1960, Marilyn married Bill (G. William) Rolls, Ronnie’s brother, and they resided on the same farm south of Veteran until 1978 when they built a new home just outside of Veteran.  In 1989, Bill and Marilyn divorced. Some years later Leonard (Dillon) Babcock, Marilyn’s elusive neighbor, came into her life.  Dillon and Marilyn were married on December 30, 1993 and she moved to Dillon’s farm, a few miles east of Consort.  They were married for just shy of 32 years before she passed away.

Marilyn had three children:  Bob, Todd and Lisa.  Family was very important to her.  Her children and grandchildren were Marilyn’s pride and joy and although she may not have been able to see them often, they were always in contact by phone.  She would host many holiday meals, and could always fill you in with what was going on in their worlds.

Marilyn worked her whole life.  On the farm she would work with the cattle, drive tractor, run the bailer or drive truck as well as tending the house, garden and making meals.  After moving to Consort she worked at the Consort Lodge and in later years volunteered one day a week at the New to You store.  She enjoyed the work and the visiting. Even while working away from the farm, she never let up on her farm work.

Marilyn had a kind heart and was loved by all. Neighbours and family were very important to her and if she wasn’t entertaining, they were going out. She loved animals and always had cats, chickens and milk cows around.  She loved travelling and although she had visited 4 continents, some of her favorite places were Maui, Victoria (Bouchard Gardens) and Dory Lake.

Marilyn passed away peacefully at the Red Deer Hospital on November 26, 2025 at the age of 86, surrounded by her family.  Marilyn will be lovingly remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother whose kindness and warmth touched all who knew her.

Marilyn leaves to mourn her husband, Dillon; her children, Bob (Noreen), Todd (Holly) and Lisa (Kerry); grandchildren, Cory, Chelsey (Tyler), Nicole, Amy, Jeremy, Jordan (Kelsie) and Jessy (Beth); and great grandchildren, Jade, Presley, Quinn, Callie, Alyvia, Graycen, Rohnyn, Sophya, Jaxxon, Nixxon, Jude and Eli; brother, Dave (Maxine); sisters-in-law, Janet and Joan (Guy); brother-in-law, Brian (Roberta); as well as numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and many friends.

Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, Ronnie; parents, Jim and Ida Todd; in-laws, George and Lizzie Rolls; mother-in-law, Florence Babcock; brother, Rodney; sister-in-law, Shari; brother-in-law, Georgie; and baby boy Rolls.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Consort Sportex Curling Rink. A private family interment will follow at the Metiskow Cemetery.