Teddy Lynn McIlvain, 70, passed away on October 1, 2024, in Mount Vernon, WA.

Born April 7, 1954, Teddy was known for her radiant smile, laughter, uplifting spirit and her extraordinary will power to be focused always on positive staying strong despite any challenge.

Teddy was a devout Christian, attending various churches, most recently Christ The King in Burlington, WA and occasionally Camano Chapel with her daughter's family. She led our family with unwavering faith. Teddy met Michael Viron McIlvain in Jantzen Beach, Oregon May of 1973. Teddy and Mike were soon Married in Vancouver, WA November of 1973. This year of 2024, marks 51 years of Teddy and Mike keeping their promise to love, honor and cherish each other always & forever.

Teddy's hobbies included gardening, sewing, crocheting, and taking long walks on the beach. Teddy loved exploring new roads and scenic views, always eager to discover new places.  Her sisters were very dear friends that she was grateful for…especially for their unique connection that brought them girlish giggles and laughter.  She loved animals having raised and cared for many thru the years including a pony she won at a fair as a child! She especially loved her two grandchildren tremendously. She always made them a priority, to ensure their happiness providing any opportunity she could for them to enjoy life even more.

Throughout her life, Teddy held various positions in retail sales and merchandising, starting her career at Payless Drug Stores N.W. at Jantzen Beach, Oregon, where she met her husband, Michael. Teddy was a very loyal wife who always prioritized her husband above all else, her love and gratitude for him was undeniable and easy to see every day of marriage.  She shined as a mother, always resilient as she focused on living life while praying for more time to be here for her daughter…those prayers were answered.  She touched many lives with her positive attitude and great personality. Her resilience and dedication to positivity & her family carried her thru many years fighting several forms of Cancer & related health problems,

a suspected* result of her exposure to the Hanford Nuclear site as a child born and raised in Walla Walla, WA. She was informed for the first time over 50 years ago, she had less than a year to live. It was her Faith, love of life, friends and family that kept her fighting to live. She was a true inspiration.

*A message to anyone battling cancer...fight! NEVER accept a timeline of life expectancy. Take control of your life and live it to the fullest! Laugh, love, smile and don't hold back! Keep pursuing your dreams! Cancer is preventable and curable, it is NOT a death sentence.  It is a call to action, take control and PRAY with all your heart and soul.

NKJV Proverbs 17:22: "A merry heart does good, like medicine,
but a broken spirit dries the bones."

Teddy leaves behind her husband Mike McIlvain; daughter April Mae McIlvain Classen; her SIL Chad Classen; her grandchildren Scarlett and Xnander Classen; three sisters Mary Laufer, Toni Bunce, and Cindy Bliss; including many other family members and dear friends she loved so very much.

Teddy's favorite song "Wind Beneath My Wings," by Bette Midler is dedicated to all of her family and friends who kept her spirit lifted.

Teddy was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Mary Wisner, and her brother, Gary Wisner.

A service to celebrate Teddy's life will be held at Faith Community Fellowship, Saturday November 2nd, 2024 at 11:30am, 1427 Monte Vista Dr., Mount Vernon, WA.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Teddy's name to one of the following:

Heart of America Northwest, http://www.hanfordcleanup.org/

OR Columbia River Keeper https://www.columbiariverkeeper.org/2024/hanfords-future-revised/

These Organizations are working hard to protect the Columbia River and surrounding areas from the current leaks happening from Hanford. These leaks are now and will further cause extreme harm to our environment, wildlife, and all people along the Columbia River especially.