Marlene Joyce Willard

Marlene Joyce Willard, 89, of Kirkland, WA, peacefully passed away on January 7, surrounded by loved ones. 

Marlene was born on May 14, 1935 to Albert and Annie Lofthus in Bremerton Washington.

After Marlene graduated from Lincoln High School in 1953, She attended classes at the University of Washington. 

Marlene briefly lived in San Diego before coming back to Seattle where while working at the U of W as an assistant food buyer she met the love of her life Donald Gene Willard. 

They married in May of 1961, beginning a 63 year love story and went on to raise their 2 daughters, Cynthia and Kimberly. They lived briefly in Great Falls, Montana and then back to the North Seattle area. 

She was passionate about family & the Seattle Mariners and enjoyed her hobbies of reading, golfing, and jigsaw puzzles. 

They both retired in the early 90’s and before long turned into snowbirds traveling to Arizona each winter for the next 17 years where they enjoyed meeting new friends and an active life living on a golf course. 

Before moving back to Bothell full time to be closer to family, they spent 3 years in Spokane, Wa to be with their daughter Cindy while she battled breast cancer. 

Marlene was predeceased by her daughter Cynthia Hepper, her brother Donald Lofthus, sisters Barbara Belcourt & Shirley Thompson. 

She is survived by her husband Donald Willard, daughter Kimberly Hepper (James), her son-in-law Tim Hepper (Cindy), her sister Pamela Flotten (John), her 4 grandsons Kyle Hepper (Marianne), Jim Hepper III (Sarah), Tyler Hepper (Erica) and Chase Hepper (Adriana), 9 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. 

A small service with family and close friends will be held this spring/early summer at Kim & Jims home. Date TBD.