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BORN

1939

DIED

2025

Marilyn McDonald Obituary

Marilyn Marie McDonald (nee Phillips, Wangsmo) passed away peacefully at her home in Marysville, September 18, with her faithful dog LuciLu by her side.

Marilyn was born on August 21, 1939, in Great Falls, Montana, to Jack and Alice Phillips. The family moved to Arlington in 1955, and Marilyn graduated from Arlington High School, class of 1957.

Marilyn married John Kenneth Wangsmo on Valentine's Day 1958 and welcomed a daughter, Janis in 1960 and a son, Jay in 1962. Marilyn was a proud and involved mother attending school functions, sporting events, Campfire leadership, and was a class volunteer. After Ken's passing in 1977, she met and married Robert P McDonald and they were married until Phil's passing in October 2023.

Marilyn was employed with Seafirst Bank before working with Millikan Escrow and finally retiring in 2002 from the State of Washington Unemployment Division.

Marilyn is survived by her children Janis Wangsmo Hodgen (Daniel), Jay Wangsmo (Victoria Conlin), stepchildren Christopher McDonald and Susie McDonald Thompson (Brad). She was the proud Grandmother of Daniel Hodgen Jr (Kim Billidew), Jennifer Sharp (Jeffery), Julie Hodgen (Jacob), Henry Thompson, Emma Thompson, Hannah Coogan (Eddy), and Gabriela McDonald, and Great Grandmother to Jayden, Jaxon, Milo, Wyatt, Levi, Isaiah, and Selah.

We thank Janet Bastys who was more a loving sister to Marilyn than a neighbor of 60 years, and Jodi and Brian Runyon for always looking out for Marilyn. A special thank you to our cousin Linda Blair and daughter-in-law Victoria Conlin who were instrumental in the attentive and loving care Marilyn received before passing away.

At Marilyn's request, no formal services will be held. Please join us for a celebration of her life on Sunday, October 5th, 2025 at Pioneer Hall, 20722 67th Ave NE, Arlington, 98223 at 12:30pm.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Herald (Everett) from Sep. 27 to Sep. 28, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Marilyn McDonald

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3 Entries

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Sent Sympathy Gifts including Flowers

Donna Hudson

September 27, 2025

My husband was best friends with Phil in High School and afterwards. When Phil married Marilyn we had some great times together. She was such a lovely person and a great blessing to Phil. My sympathies, Donna Hudson.

Darrell DeGross

September 27, 2025

My sincere condolences to Marilyn´s family at her passing.. She was a wonderful person who raised a very nice family. She will be missed.

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Memorial Events
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Oct

5

Celebration of Life

12:30 p.m.

Pioneer Hall

20722 67th Ave NE, Arlington, WA

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