Marilyn Frances

Oct. 19, 1930 — May 2, 2013

Marilyn Frances passed away peacefully at home in Brush Prairie, Wash. on May 2, 2013 at the age of 82, surrounded by family.

Marilyn was born Oct. 19, 1930 in Long Beach, Calif. She often shared happy memories of her early childhood in Panama, where her stepfather was an engineer on the Panama Canal.

She is pre-deceased by her first husband, Thomas C. McClelland.

She is survived by two sisters, Pat Young of Oceanside, Calif., and Sharon Basham of Sonora, Calif., and by her four children; Susan Frances of Vancouver, Wash., Thomas McClelland, Jr. of Plains, Mont., Anne Bloom of Copperas Cove, Texas, and Kathleen Carlson of Phoenix, Ariz. She has six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

With her family, Marilyn crossed the country, living in Oklahoma, Illinois, West Virginia, South Carolina, Kansas, Arizona, Washington, Hawaii, and Colorado.

She moved to San Juan Island in June of 1967 and was an island resident until l998, then lived in Canon City, Colo. until 2006, returning to Washington state to be near friends and family.

Marilyn was highly talented, and explored many creative outlets. Her writing accomplishments include three published short stories and two short plays performed by the Friday Harbor Community Theater.

She had a love for color and interior design, studied watercolor painting, and was an enthusiastic quilter. Marilyn loved anything handcrafted and delighted in collecting. She was a passionate gardener and had a knack for creating beautiful indoor and outdoor environments.

Marilyn had a favorite bumper sticker that provides a fitting epitaph: “I’ve survived damn near everything!”

Fly away free spirit – we love you.

Messages to the family can be sent to message4marilyn@gmail.com or c/o Frances, 13308 NW 9th Avenue, #E, Vancouver, WA 98685

— Family of Marilyn Frances