Marilyn Kenworthy

Marilyn Kenworthy, age 73, passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2016, at Sylvia’s Hospice in Ocala, FL. She was born December 19, 1942, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, the daughter of the late Kenneth W. Robb and Mary Ellen Rosser Robb.

Raised in Montreal, Marilyn and her childhood friend, Sherill, decided to move to the States after high school graduation, and came to work in South Florida in 1962. She and Steve married in 1974 and moved from Fort Lauderdale to north central Florida in 1978.  Barely two years later, the couple, together with Marilyn’s then-teenage son, Ken, founded Dreams Come True Farm in the town of Sparr, FL, where they focused on breeding show and racehorses, as well as foaling and lay-ups.  In 1989, they launched Big Sun Equine Products in Ocala. Marilyn served as President of the family-owned and -operated business that meets the needs of horse owners throughout the area. Driven by her love of horses and desire to serve others, Marilyn was a longtime member of the Florida Thorobred Fillies, an Ocala-based charity active in the local Thoroughbred horse industry, and at one time served as director of the organization.  A devoted animal lover, Marilyn was passionate about helping animals in need, and over the years, she opened her heart and home to many cats and dogs. She loved nature and the Smoky Mountains, in particular, so this became a favorite destination as she and Steve filled their life together with many cherished vacation memories.

Marilyn’s heart lay close to home. She loved her Savior, her family and her church.  Her wise, kind words and heart-felt prayers made a difference in the lives of more people than she probably realized.  In her quiet, unassuming way, she reached out, shared her testimony and invited others to find the peace she found in her faith.  Whenever she helped someone else—which was often—her request was always that they do the same in kind for another person. Despite a hard-fought, four-year battle with lung cancer, Marilyn rarely missed church over that entire time. Her courage and faith served as a living example of what she believed, through both good times and trials.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth and Mary Robb. She is survived by her beloved husband of 42 years, Stephen (Steve) Kenworthy of Anthony, FL; her son and daughter-in-law, Ken and Karen Aldrich of Ocala, FL; grandchildren Katelyn and Austin of Ocala, FL; stepson Stephen S. Kenworthy of Nashville, TN; and lifelong best friend of 62 years, Sherill McMaster of Middleburg, FL.

A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 2, at Meadowbrook Church in Ocala with Pastors Tim Gilligan and Ron Howard officiating.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Marilyn’s honor to Hospice of Marion County and Meadowbrook Church.