Marilyn Bandli Scott

Marilyn Bandli Scott

1950 - 2025

To nationwide applause, Marilyn Lee Bandli was born on July 4, 1950, in Seattle, Washington. She was the first child born to John and Theodora (Gillette) Bandli. Marilyn was joined the following autumn by her only sister and lifelong friend, Betty Lou.

The family lived in the city for the first several years of the girls' childhood but eventually moved to Lynnwood. Marilyn enjoyed a very happy childhood. The family took many trips to the ocean and spent lots of happy times with cousins and extended family. Marilyn attended and graduated from Meadowdale High School with the class of 1968, where she formed several lifelong friendships and was well liked by all her classmates.

After some back and forth across the state, Marilyn enrolled in CWU, joining several friends from high school. She graduated with her degree in English, a gift and skill that she used throughout her life. She so enjoyed her time in Ellensburg that she decided to make the Kittitas Valley her home.

In the fall of 1980, Marilyn met Gentry Scott, and after a very brief courtship, they were married in December of that year. They welcomed their son, Jensen Bandli Scott, in 1982, and their daughter Hattie Rose, in 1986. Marilyn was an incredible mother and gave her children the gift of a wonderful childhood. The family spent so much time in the hills, camping and fishing in the Naneum, at their own favorite camp spots.

After spending several years at home with her children, Marilyn began her long and rewarding career at Central Washington Comprehensive Mental Health (now Comprehensive Healthcare) in October 1988. Marilyn was the first-person clients saw when they walked in and she had a very special way of offering comfort and respect to everyone. She often said that, while she loved her coworkers, the clients were her favorite part of any day. Marilyn took her job very seriously, knowing that being in service to others was a tremendous responsibility.

In January of 2015, Marilyn retired after over 26 years at CWCMH, to do the only thing she'd rather be doing - taking care of her grandkids! In retirement, Marilyn also began volunteering for Hospice Friends (now Hearts & Hands), offering care for many families in the most trying times. She cared deeply for every person she encountered through Hospice Friends and found this work very meaningful and rewarding. Marilyn believed that offering support to those around her was the single most important thing she could do with her time. Whether volunteering in her children's classrooms, reviewing applications for the Pride Foundation, or volunteering her time with Hospice Friends, she was always finding ways to give.

Marilyn is lovingly survived by her husband of 45 years, Gentry Scott, her son Jensen and his wife Courtney of Guthrie, OK, her daughter Hattie Yarwood and her husband William of Ellensburg, her sister Betty Lou Martin and her husband Pat, of Ellensburg, and her beautiful grandchildren Henry, Kelly, Rehmi, Caden and Spencer. She is also survived by many cousins, countless in-laws, and her "ladies," all of whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Theodora Bandli.

Marilyn was an incredibly kind person. She did all that she could to make people's lives better. While we will miss her forever, we take peace in knowing that Marilyn left this world better than she found it. Contributions in her honor are suggested to Helen House, a local nonprofit founded by a close friend, and very dear to her heart.