True to Marilyn’s sparkling personality, she passed peacefully on the 4th of July surrounded by her loving family. She is survived by her adoring husband of 40 years, Edward. The two enjoyed watching romantic comedies together, happy hour with friends, and special trips to Reno. She is also survived by her two younger sisters Christine and Gwendolyn, her two daughters Donelle and JoLynne, 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Marilyn was welcomed as the first child born to George and Marian in Olympia, WA, but spent most of her childhood growing up in northern California where she graduated from Lodi Academy in 1954. She moved back up to the PNW as an adult and settled back in the Olympia area in 2001 to be near her daughters and grandchildren.
As the matriarch of her family, they were all thrilled to have their mom and grandma close by to enjoy her cheerful humor, delicious baked goods, and warm welcoming hugs. Marilyn was the true hostess with the mostest and anyone lucky enough to have met her got to experience her instant charm and humor. She was truly magnetic and all who knew and loved her will miss her embracing presence.
On top of being a devoted mother, Marilyn began a professional career in banking in the late 60’s working in the evenings as production analyst at Seafirst Bank. As she did with everything, she advanced quickly in the banking industry moving up the ladder and retiring as a loan officer with Group Health Credit Union in 1998. Personally, she also excelled as a pianist, vocalist, seamstress, and especially loved to show off her water skiing skills.
Marilyn will be deeply missed by her family and many friends. As anyone who came in contact with Marilyn will tell you; to know Marilyn is to be a lifelong friend. Her legacy as a kind, fun loving, happy person will live on in the many lives she touched.
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