Brookside Funeral and Crematorium
Marlyn Kay Marble was born on March 25, 1952 to Ralph and Evelyn Thompson in Seattle, Washington. God called his faithful servant home on June 30, 2021. She was the fourth of six children. In 1956, his family moved to Yakima. Marlyn attended Yakima schools and graduated from Eisenhower High School in 1970. She graduated from Western Washington University in 1974.
After college, Marlyn moved to Seattle, where she was introduced by her brother Ralph to her husband, Ken Marble, a young lawyer from Kirkland. Marlyn and Ken married in May 1976 and recently celebrated 45 years of marriage. In 1978, they returned home to Yakima to raise their family. Ken joined his father in the family business Yakima Hardware Company, known today as Horizon Distribution, Inc.
Marlyn and Ken had 3 children, Libby, Andy and Jimmy. Marlyn was a devoted mother to her children. She created a home filled with love and joy. Marlyn’s house was also the site of the big family reunions over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and any other family events that happened. She managed to serve large meals with special ease and grace.
The family had wonderful trips with friends, snow skiing at White Pass, Bachelor Mountain and Whistler, as well as a vacation to the family cottage in South Puget Sound.
The bonds of friendship developed during these trips have remained strong over the years. Marlyn was the sounding board and confidante of many of her friends and family.
Marlyn has always had a competitive spirit. She fell in love with tennis in her early 30s and was very successful in doubles at the club level and in USTA competition. Marlyn played two or three days a week at the Yakima Tennis Club. She made great friendships at the tennis club and during tournaments. She was also an avid sports spectator cheering on her children, grandchildren, the Seahawks and Mariners.
Marlyn volunteered in the community starting out as a Lamaze instructor where she helped prepare many young couples for childbirth. Later, she did one-on-one mentoring with teenage mothers in a program called Young Lives. She has volunteered at Madison House as a tutor for boys and girls and has been a deacon for the Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church, serving the homebound elderly. For many years, Marlyn enjoyed working part-time at the Sporthaus. She approached each of these tasks with a servant’s heart.
After Marlyn and Ken became empty nests, they had adventures in Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia in their RV. They fell in love with Sun Valley Idaho where they skied in the winter and relaxed in the summer. They also fished for salmon in the San Juan Islands and off Vancouver Island. They have made memorable trips to Australia, French Polynesia, Bahamas, Caribbean, Argentina, Turkey and Europe. They have also traveled extensively throughout the United States.
Marlyn had deep faith in her Lord Jesus Christ. She accepted Christ into her life as a camper at Camp Ghormley. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church (now Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church) for most of her life. She and Ken got married there and they raised their children in church. When she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer seven weeks ago, she wasn’t in despair. She knew that this world is temporary and that her faith in Christ will lead her to spend a joyful time in eternity without pain or suffering.
Marlyn was predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Evelyn, and by her daughter-in-law Jesse Chamberlin-Marble, wife of her son Jimmy, who died just three weeks ago. She was also predeceased by her brother Jim’s wife, Christy, who was one of her closest friends.
Marlyn is survived by husband Ken, daughter Libby and son-in-law Alex Hodge, son Andy and son Jimmy. She leaves behind 7 grandchildren, Henry, Charlie, William and Caroline Hodge, Grayson and August Chamberlin and Martha Marble. She is also survived by her five siblings, Carol Turner (Kermit), Ralph Thompson (Kimberly), Jim Thompson, Maribeth Lopit (Ed) and Diana Frick (Ken). She is also survived by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Jan and Mike Brandt, her brother-in-law Robert Marble and her mother-in-law and father-in-law Louise and Richard Marble. She was very close to her many nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to Dr. Sylvia Labes, Geri Catton of North Star Lodge and her niece Hallie Martin for the care Marlyn has received over the past few weeks.
A celebration of Marlyn’s life will be held at Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Donations in his memory can be made to Camp Ghormley c / o Grace of Christ Church or the Union Gospel Mission and sent to the care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936) which looks after the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.
