Marilyn E. Erly passed away, peacefully, at Birchview Memory Care, Sedro Wooley, Washington on April 24, 2017. She was born in Tacoma, Washington on June 7, 1934.

She grew up on Puget Sound, in Dash Point and attended school at Federal Way. She continued her education at Western Washington University. She took time off from school to get married in 1954. She and their two daughters then followed her husband, a U. S. Marine, where the Marines sent him in the U.S., from coast to coast. While he was overseas the family stayed in San Diego or returned to Dash Point.

In 1971, she received her B.A. Degree in Drama, from San Diego State University. She received her M.A. in Drama from San Diego State University in 1972. While attending college she worked full time and raised a family. She continued her drama education at various schools, in voice, diction, stage movement and acting and appeared in several productions in the Seattle area and a Hollywood movie that was filmed on Lopez Island. During this time, she worked as a costume designer at Children’s Theatre, ACT Theatre, Eastside Theatre Company, Empty Space Theatre, The Group Theatre, Intiman Theatre and Bathhouse Theatre in Seattle, just to name a few. She continued her education in art. She sold some of her artwork at Pike Place Market in Seattle and on Orcas Island. In between all this she loved to travel.

On Orcas Island, she was involved with the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Friends of the Library, Orcas Community Theatre, Orcas Medical Center Board, Orcas Senior Center Board and almost all art and literature classes available on Orcas Island.

Both of her parents, sister and brother passed away a few years ago. She leaves behind her husband John and daughters Robin and Tricia of Orcas Island.