Obituary for Marylou Hargan (Balicki)
On January 29th, at the age of 58, in her home surrounded by friends and family who she loved deeply, Marylou drifted peacefully onto her next big adventure. Marylou will be forever missed by Rob Hargan, her husband and adventure partner, in both life and business, for more than 30 years. She will continue to be cherished by her daughters, Sarah and Rachael, whom she could not have loved more or been more proud of, and Becky Carveth, her daughter-in-law who came into the family like a perfect puzzle piece. And, of course, her dad, who she loved so dearly, Louis Balicki. Marylou will be greatly missed by her brother Andy Balicki, sister Julie (Balicki) Wright, and their partners Carrie Vanloon and Gord Wright, as well as by her nieces and nephews, and their partners, whom she truly loved as though they were her own. Marylou is off to reunite with her beloved mother, Margaret (Calder) Balicki. Marylou will never be forgotten by the friends who she held as close as family; Kerrie (Denhertog) Nicksy, Kelly and Cameron Bowie, Gary and Yvonne Maloney, Corey Carlisle, Kim Mann and Cindy Jutras.
Marylou spent her early years roaming around Dunchurch, Ontario, getting into all kinds of harmless fun until the streetlights came on each night, popping into the L&M General Store, owned by her parents, whenever refreshments were needed. Kerrie, who from these days forward never waivered from her spot as life-long-best-friend, was never far behind! After losing their home to a fire, the Balicki family relocated to Parry Sound in ‘79, where Marylou attended high school and forged more lifelong friendships.
Heading to Toronto for her post secondary education in Business, Marylou began her career in sales and worked as Vice President of Marketing for a major sign making company with distribution throughout Canada.
The stars aligned when a wandering Irish man found himself in the same Country Western bar as Marylou in the summer of ‘87. Stunned by her beauty Rob asked Marylou to dance, only to be told no! In the weeks that followed Rob resigned that a friendship with this magnetic beauty was better than nothing, and continued to hang around with Marylou’s group of friends. One day Marylou watched through a window as Rob played with some kids in the back yard of a friend's house, and the rest was history. It is unsurprising that this is the moment that won Marylou’s heart over when one reflects on the type of parents that both Marylou and Rob were to their daughters. It would have been impossible for them to have taken their job as mom and dad more seriously, or to have offered any more of themselves to the role.
As a young couple, never shying away from a challenge or adventure, Marylou and Rob traveled from coast-to-coast selling newspapers door to door. Convoying through the rockies, chatting to one another and devising vehicle passing strategies through their CB radios.
With the birth of Sarah and Rachael, Marylou and Rob wondered what was next for their growing family, and surprised everyone by opening a lawncare company in Sudbury, ON, a place then reminiscent of the moon with its sparse vegetation and smooth bald rock faces. Together with Rob’s unwavering persistence and determination, and Marylou’s famous savviness, the two built multiple successful businesses which employed hundreds of people over the years, gave back to the local community at any opportunity that was presented, and built a life Marylou was very proud of. Marylou never missed an opportunity to sit someone down in her office who needed support or advice, and just as freely never missed an opportunity to make someone smile or laugh with her (usually just a toe past the line) sense of humor.
In more recent years, Marylou found a great love for pottery, and spent many days and nights fostering her creative spirit and creating works of art that will forever be cherished by the many loved ones she so freely doled out gifts to.
Marylou cherised her summers with neighbors, friends, and family at her cottage, built for her by Rob, on the shores of Lake Manitou, Manitoulin Island. There was no one more warm, more inviting, and more lively than Marylou when she saw someone coming down the laneway; sure to be greeted by a cheerful “come on in!”.
While we have tried our best, it remains apparent that Marylou, in her essence and brilliance, can not be reduced to words. She was, and is, so magnificently a million important things to so many people. There will never be a whippoorwill’s song, Law and Order ‘DUN DUN’, or bold bright and beautiful laughter that doesn’t draw her memory in.
If you wish to honor Marylou’s memory, we ask that you do what she did best; never leave anyone
wondering how much they mean to you. And, if there is a smoker in your life, please encourage them to participate in the annual Ontario Lung Screening Program by asking their family doctor for a referral. You will be grateful that you did.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Marylou’s honor to the Northern Cancer Foundation, where Marylou made her mark, as she always did, and received such wonderful care over the last year and a half. Celebration of life will be held in Sudbury, ON, at the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club on February 18th at 12pm, Words of Remembrance beginning at 1pm. Remote attendance will be possible through Zoom, please contact the family for the link
Marylou spent her early years roaming around Dunchurch, Ontario, getting into all kinds of harmless fun until the streetlights came on each night, popping into the L&M General Store, owned by her parents, whenever refreshments were needed. Kerrie, who from these days forward never waivered from her spot as life-long-best-friend, was never far behind! After losing their home to a fire, the Balicki family relocated to Parry Sound in ‘79, where Marylou attended high school and forged more lifelong friendships.
Heading to Toronto for her post secondary education in Business, Marylou began her career in sales and worked as Vice President of Marketing for a major sign making company with distribution throughout Canada.
The stars aligned when a wandering Irish man found himself in the same Country Western bar as Marylou in the summer of ‘87. Stunned by her beauty Rob asked Marylou to dance, only to be told no! In the weeks that followed Rob resigned that a friendship with this magnetic beauty was better than nothing, and continued to hang around with Marylou’s group of friends. One day Marylou watched through a window as Rob played with some kids in the back yard of a friend's house, and the rest was history. It is unsurprising that this is the moment that won Marylou’s heart over when one reflects on the type of parents that both Marylou and Rob were to their daughters. It would have been impossible for them to have taken their job as mom and dad more seriously, or to have offered any more of themselves to the role.
As a young couple, never shying away from a challenge or adventure, Marylou and Rob traveled from coast-to-coast selling newspapers door to door. Convoying through the rockies, chatting to one another and devising vehicle passing strategies through their CB radios.
With the birth of Sarah and Rachael, Marylou and Rob wondered what was next for their growing family, and surprised everyone by opening a lawncare company in Sudbury, ON, a place then reminiscent of the moon with its sparse vegetation and smooth bald rock faces. Together with Rob’s unwavering persistence and determination, and Marylou’s famous savviness, the two built multiple successful businesses which employed hundreds of people over the years, gave back to the local community at any opportunity that was presented, and built a life Marylou was very proud of. Marylou never missed an opportunity to sit someone down in her office who needed support or advice, and just as freely never missed an opportunity to make someone smile or laugh with her (usually just a toe past the line) sense of humor.
In more recent years, Marylou found a great love for pottery, and spent many days and nights fostering her creative spirit and creating works of art that will forever be cherished by the many loved ones she so freely doled out gifts to.
Marylou cherised her summers with neighbors, friends, and family at her cottage, built for her by Rob, on the shores of Lake Manitou, Manitoulin Island. There was no one more warm, more inviting, and more lively than Marylou when she saw someone coming down the laneway; sure to be greeted by a cheerful “come on in!”.
While we have tried our best, it remains apparent that Marylou, in her essence and brilliance, can not be reduced to words. She was, and is, so magnificently a million important things to so many people. There will never be a whippoorwill’s song, Law and Order ‘DUN DUN’, or bold bright and beautiful laughter that doesn’t draw her memory in.
If you wish to honor Marylou’s memory, we ask that you do what she did best; never leave anyone
wondering how much they mean to you. And, if there is a smoker in your life, please encourage them to participate in the annual Ontario Lung Screening Program by asking their family doctor for a referral. You will be grateful that you did.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made in Marylou’s honor to the Northern Cancer Foundation, where Marylou made her mark, as she always did, and received such wonderful care over the last year and a half. Celebration of life will be held in Sudbury, ON, at the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club on February 18th at 12pm, Words of Remembrance beginning at 1pm. Remote attendance will be possible through Zoom, please contact the family for the link