Marilyn M. Johnson, age 90, a life-long resident of Skagit Valley, passed away peacefully on Sunday the 23rd of September in Burlington, Washington.

Born September 14, 1928 in Mount Vernon to her loving parents Elmer and Sylvia Junquist, she was raised on the family farm in West Mount Vernon. Marilyn was the youngest of six children. When reminiscing about her childhood she would acknowledge that being the youngest had its advantages, especially when it came to being excused from some of the daily chores on the farm. She loved to accompany her father as he made deliveries in his milk truck, the first in Skagit County. Marilyn was passionate about horseback riding and enjoyed riding daily.

During her early school years, Marilyn would ride her bicycle to Ridgeway School from the family home on Beaver Marsh Road. Throughout her youth she enjoyed playing the piano and took morning lessons before school. She attended Mount Vernon High School, graduating with the class of 1946. Marilyn was a good student and particularly excelled in her business and bookkeeping classes. She also enjoyed performing in plays. One of her favorite activities was roller dancing at the Burlington Roller Rink. As a teenager Marilyn cherished her time spent at the family beach home on Camano Island. Friendships formed during her high school years were lifelong. Affectionately dubbed the "46 Chicks", she and her high school friends continued to meet for monthly luncheons for decades.

In 1947 Marilyn married Harold Edson of Burlington. Together they raised four children on their dairy farm in Bow, Washington. She worked hard preparing daily meals for the men working on the farm, as well as assisting with bookkeeping efforts. Lasting memories were created at the family cabin on Big Lake where Marilyn enjoyed hosting 4th of July celebrations for family and friends. Marilyn would later work as an optometrist assistant for Dr. Brown at his Burlington office where she enjoyed getting to know and assist his many patients from the community.

In 1976 Marilyn married Earl Johnson of Mount Vernon. She and Earl thoroughly enjoyed taking trips in their travel trailer to Arizona in the wintertime with their caravan of friends. Traveling and sightseeing was their passion and for many years they would continue to experience treks throughout the Southwest and other parts of the country. They also appreciated the beauty of the fall foliage in the Pacific Northwest and developed fond memories of their annual trips to Leavenworth with their fellow travelers.

Faith, family and friends were important to Marilyn. She loved fresh cut flowers and always kept a bouquet on her table for visitors to enjoy. Marilyn was also an avid baker with apple pies and cakes among her specialities. She will be remembered for her sweet nature and kindness. The adversities faced in her lifetime were always met with a courageous inner strength and dignity.

Marilyn is survived by her husband Earl, daughter Jan (Dennis) Haddock, son Jon (Nancy) Edson, daughter-in-law Veretta Edson, 13 grandchildren and 11 great- grandchildren. Other survivors include sister-in-laws Beverly Jungquist and Juanita Jungquist, numerous nieces and nephews, step-daughter Cheryl Neff and step-son Ron Johnson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Lawrence, Kenneth, Ellsworth and Richard, a sister Phyllis Burt, daughter Jo Ellen Linnell, and son Jerry Edson.

The family would like to thank the staff at Creekside and Hospice of the Northwest for providing compassionate care during Marilyn's final days.

A Celebration of Life for Marilyn will be held on Saturday, November 3, at 1:00 p.m. at the Hawthorne Funeral Home Chapel, 1825 E. College Way, Mount Vernon.


Remembrances may be made to Hospice of the Northwest at 227 Freeway Drive, Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, or to Seattle Children's Hospital at givetoseattlechildrens.org/donate.