Marjorie “Mitzi” MacLean passed away at home early on Nov. 8, 2013, just a few days before her 95th birthday.

Mitzi was the daughter of Charles and Alice Capron and was one of four siblings who are all deceased.

Born in Park Ridge, Ill., during the World War I Armistice, she grew up in the Midwest.

She also lived in Rhode Island, New Jersey, and Rockford, Ill. Mitzi was a Smith College graduate and was often referred to as “Smitty” by her college chums. In 1941, Mitzi married Matthew (Wren) MacLean. After their four daughters started school, Mitzi went back to college to earn her degree in library science. Her love of books was a passion which remained until her death.

In 1980, Mitzi and Wren moved to Whidbey Island to be close to family. The next 33 years were spent with family and friends; walking the beaches and engaging in volunteer activities such as Time Together, the local libraries and the Fort Casey Lighthouse.

Because of her unselfish service to the community, she was honored as a “Hometown Hero” in 2002. Mitzi would be the first to say that these years were among the happiest of her life.

Mitzi is survived by her husband Wren, her four daughters, Bonnie Arndt, Carol McNeil, Susie MacLean and Beth Gearhart, and seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, at St. Augustine’s in the Woods Episcopal Church in Freeland.