Marlene Evans

Marlene Evans

It is with great sadness that our family announces the death of Mary “Marlene” Evans. Marlene passed away peacefully in the arms of her husband on September 14, 2020. She was born in San Antonio, Texas on January 29, 1950 to Mary “Mollie” and Lester Heightchew. The family moved to Seattle in 1951. As a teenager Marlene was very active in the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, a Masonic organization. She achieved the level of Worthy Advisor and was awarded the Grand Cross of Colors (the highest honor) for her years of service. She was a 1968 Roosevelt High School graduate. Marlene’s professional career was in the insurance industry. She retired from Mutual of Enumclaw after 32 years and holding a number of positions within the company.

Marlene was big sister to Dorothy (Jim) Deschane- with whom she hated sharing a bedroom and Art, (Lisa, predeceased). Marlene was happy to have Art teach her to drive, but then not so happy when he, while borrowing her car, totaled it. She softened up when she got more in the settlement than she paid for it. She was the younger sister to David (Erika) Stevenson of Germany and Donna Stevenson of Florida.

Marlene and Jim loved traveling, spending many happy hours in Hawaii, Mexico, and the beach. Marlene loved living in Enumclaw and didn’t complain while the family lived for months in a camper (often without power) and cleared their land, while their house was being built in the Mud Mountain Dam area. During their time living in Enumclaw they had a menagerie of horses (who Jim brought into the house, at least once), cows (including Cowsy Wowsy), goats, chickens, ducks, dogs (including wolf mix) and cats. Although Marlene humorously complained about sharing space with “beasts”, she loved and care for them all. Even after they moved to full time RV life and the limited pet space that allows, she welcomed the family cat. Not just any cat, of course, but a giant 20 some pound “beast” named Wiley. Wiley survives her.

Marlene was an amazing, caring woman. She & Jim took in her father-in-law, who had Alzheimer’s disease, and cared for him for over 10 years until his passing. When her mother was in her declining years, living in an Assisted Living facility and later in a nursing home, Marlene visited several times a day, every day, until her mother’s death. The caring did not stop then, as she continued to visit her mother’s best friend, Jean, who was also in the same Assisted Living facility and nursing home, until she passed.

Marlene is survived by her husband of 48 years, Jim Evans. Left to mourn her include her sons, Barry (Lori), Justin (Danielle), Josh (Andrea), and Travis. Marlene impressed upon her boys to not do anything wrong, because “you will always be caught”, and to think of the feelings of others, and “don’t forget to change your underwear in case you are in an accident”. She was loved by her grandchildren Jesse, Molli, Taylor, Lexi, Kaytlin, Sydney, Mason, and Addison. She was proud to be a great-grandmother to Owen. She also leaves behind her nieces and nephews and their families, all of whom she loved. 

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