Marilyn Ruth Brown, a longtime resident of Clinton, passed away Wednesday, May 10 at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham from a short battle with cancer.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Esther and Oscar Ruppel and survived by her husband Robert “Bob” W. Brown and their kitties, Smokey and Shadow, son Michael R. Brown and his wife Maria Brown, daughter Jennifer E. Brown and her fiance Ray H. Costello and her “grandpuppies” Nuggets and Nachos.

Marilyn was born on April 23, 1942, in Fresno, Calif., to Esther and Oscar Ruppel of New Braunfels, Texas. Marilyn was a “military brat,” where she moved around due to her father’s Air Force service. They were stationed in California, Arizona, New Mexico, North Carolina, Florida, Long Island New York and England. Marilyn claimed New Braunfels, Texas, as her hometown growing up.

Marilyn met Bob Brown in 1965 while he was in the Airforce stationed at Randolf Air Force Base in Texas. They were married Nov. 4, 1966 in New Braunfels, Texas, and were together for over 50 years. In 1969, they relocated to Clinton, on Whidbey Island. In 1975, they were blessed with a son Michael and in 1977 a daughter Jennifer.

Marilyn spent numerous years working at Clinton Food Mart. She was also an active member of the South Whidbey Assembly of God Church and attended Bible study at the Little Brown Church. In her spare time, she volunteered at the Good Cheer Thrift Store and the Wild Bird Store. She was a sweet and kind women, always smiling. She loved animals, flowers, photos and scrapbooking.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 21 at the South Whidbey Assembly of God Church, 5373 Maxwelton Road, Langley, WA 98260. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend. Attire is casual.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Marilyn may be made to South Whidbey Assembly of God, P.O. Box 1449, Langley, WA 98260. Donation options can be found at www.swagchurch.com.