Marilyn Joyce Najm

Marilyn Najm, beloved mother, business owner, and a long-time Banff resident, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2026.

She was born on December 31, 1943, to Grace and Jerry Widgill, and is survived by her sons, Clovis (spouse Maria) and Alex (spouse Sarah), her grandchildren Emil, Elyse and Cassie, Rio and her sister Reita, brother Lynn and extended family.

She has been described as “a force of nature” in her passing. Those who knew her closely would also say she was a force of community and family.

Marilyn’s early years were spent with her mother, sister, and brother, growing up in Waterton and then Calgary. Upon graduation, she traveled the world and eventually started a family in Toronto with Maroun Najm, where she welcomed her sons.

In 1979, Marilyn returned west to rejoin Grace and Lynn to operate the Banff Camera Shop, which became one of the longest‑running family businesses in the Banff community. The family owned and operated the business until selling it and retiring in 2004. During this time, she became deeply connected to the lives of countless Banff residents, leaving behind no shortage of shared memories.

Throughout her years in Banff, she was not only a devoted mother but an active and engaged member of the community, especially in supporting the sports pursuits of her sons and their friends. She was one of the long‑standing “hockey moms,” whose cheers, laughter, and unmistakable presence still echo throughout the Bow Valley.

Marilyn was deeply committed to charitable work throughout her life. She served for many years with the Soroptimist International, Banff Chapter, and upon retirement took on roles with the Banff Senior Centre. She was also an avid lifelong reader, with a deep interest in literature, philosophy, and tradition.

We wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Canmore General Hospital, as well as the dedicated team at Origins where Marilyn resided in the final years of her life. Their care and commitment created a community that is undoubtedly responsible for some deeply meaningful final memories of an extraordinary woman.

The family invites everyone to raise a glass in her honour.