Malinda Jane Howell Pretz passed away 12/7/23 under the care of Evergreen Health Hospice in Kirkland, WA. Born 1941 in Santa Monica, CA to Jane Bennison & BN “Bud” Howell, and granddaughter of Faye Bennison, founder of California pottery company Vernon Kilns. She graduated from USC, University of California, in 1962 with a BA in Education. She married her college sweetheart Arnold Pretz in 1962 and togetherthey had 3 children, Melissa, Jennifer, and Arnold II.

Malinda loved the arts, music, entertaining and volunteering. Her favorite volunteer activities were being a Girl Scout Leader, being part ofThe Peninsula Committee for the L.A. Philharmonic, which involved teaching children in the local schools about symphony music through the music mobile, and being a member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a group which raises scholarships for young women. Among the many other things Malinda was involved in were, working in a framing shop, teaching Sunday school, making gift baskets for a local market, and serving as president of the Peninsula Committee. She was also active with service organizations like USC’s Town & Gown and the Trojan League.

Malinda and Arnold moved to Langley Washington in 2013 to be closer to their children and grandchildren. There she was active with the Baby Island Saratoga club, the Gourmet club, and the local P.E.O. chapter. She spent her final 2 years of life in Bothell WA under the excellent care of the staff at Forest Cottage Adult Family Home.

Malinda is preceded in death by her daughterJennifer(1987) and husband Arnold (2018). She is survived by her daughter Melissa Pretz Steilling and husband Joe, her son Arnold Pretz II and wife Ruth Bly, granddaughters Natalie Steilling and Brooke Steilling, sister Carolyn Howell and wife JoAnn, and brother Bruce Howell and wife Merrilee.

In accordance with Malinda’s wishes, a celebration of life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on Whidbey Island May 2024.