Obituary

Marilyn Miriam Morris celebrated 86 wonderful years before passing on July 3, 2024 in Bellingham, Washington surrounded by her passionate family, as her loving heart endured a myocardial infarction. Marilyn is survived by her darling devoted husband Vernon M. Morris; her daughters Kristin and Jennifer Hanna and stepdaughters Carrie Burchard and Kim Morris- Ward. Marilyn was preceded in death by her siblings, Harold Stafford, Antonia Buren, and Beverly Bragg. Grandchildren, Lena Silva Slone, Sara Slone, Hanna Slone Long, and great granddaughter Olivia Rose Long adored this creatively fun-loving woman, along with step grandchildren, Adam Slone Nelson, Madeline and Michael Burchard, Ryan, Tobi, Mirin, and Grace Morris-Ward, great step grandson James Burchard, and all of her nieces and nephews, local and international friends, and in-laws.

Marilyn was born September 25, 1937 in Baudette, Minnesota to Dr. Charles Eugene Stafford and Carol Miriam Dahl Stafford. As a teenager, her family moved to Tacoma, Washington where her father became chief administrator at the Veterans Hospital on American Lake. Marilyn graduated from Clover Park High School in 1955 and pursued chemistry at Pacific Lutheran University to become a phlebotomist. In 1960, she married James Hanna, the father of her children, and began to raise a family.

In the early 1960s Marilyn opened her home to numerous toddlers and elementary school children and began an enriching educational preschool. She volunteered her time in the public school system as a room-mother and became a member of the Parent Teacher Association. Marilyn also managed apartment complexes from the mid 1960s through the 1980s. She was active in Shipmates and event planning as a member of the Tacoma Yacht Club. Marilyn was a master seamstress and fashioned exquisite garments throughout her lifetime.

Marilyn met the love of her life, Vernon M. Morris, an administrator and school teacher for the Tacoma School District, in the early 1970s. They married in 1975, raised their adolescent daughters on American Lake, and then began a beautiful life of travel and adventure for 50 years. Together, they owned and operated several franchises of Healthy Deli and Yogurt Stand restaurants. After retiring in 1992, Vern and Marilyn moved from Tacoma to Bellingham, where they built a duplex to live in during the summers, and spent 6 to 8 months of the year building onto the family home in Ures, Sonora, Mexico. They continued the peaceful legacy, established in the mid 1960s by Marilyn’s parents, in this small mountain village in the foothills of the Sierra Madres.

Marilyn and Vern were inseparable. They journeyed the roads of Mexico to nearly every state, cruised numerous bodies of water, experiencing diverse cultures to the fullest. They spent many decades cultivating a legacy in Ures, Sonora, which now carries on through five generations of their family. The villagers cherish their contributing traditions, as they continue to give to the town’s well-being. The tranquility of their modest property produces old growth sustenance and unparalleled rustic cultural artistic beauty to the present. Not a day went by without Marilyn preparing the freshest and most delicious meals for her family. She always kept a welcoming beautiful house to come home to.

Marilyn Morris’s humble legacies are many, yet none compare to the deep love, dedication, and affection she shared with her husband and loyal family. She modeled strength, respect, enthusiasm, generosity, acceptance, fairness, patience, compassion, and kindness for everyone she met. She would say, “if you have something nice to say about someone, come sit by me”. She was mother to many, and a person you could count on; she always showed up for her children’s sports competitions, and was their biggest cheerleader throughout life.

Marilyn’s smile brought vivacious sparkle to every room. Her tender and sentimental outlook on life will always be a part of us. She made every holiday, anniversary, and birthday party uniquely special. Each cake, card, and gift were made with love. Her words were genuinely

thoughtful and will forever be treasured in our hearts. Marilyn made everyday fun. She saw beauty in simplicity.

Marilyn Miriam Morris had a zest for living throughout her extraordinary lifetime time on earth. Her fabulous self will be celebrated on August 3, 2024 with family and friends in Bellingham, Washington.