Marilyn Kastien, 84, passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at her home on Vashon Island. Marilyn was born in Beach, North Dakota, and grew up in the Seattle area. After marrying and raising her four children in Salt Lake City, Utah, she returned to the Northwest to live and work.

Marilyn received her training and certification in clinical pastoral care in Spokane, Washington, and worked for many years at Seattle area hospitals as a chaplain and as supervisor of chaplaincy staff. After retirement, she continued to provide service to others as a grief counsellor.

A longtime resident of Vashon Island, Marilyn loved living in this beautiful place. She was a writer and an artist, and had a special affection for her pets and island wildlife. Marilyn had a wide circle of beloved friends on the island, who will miss her and remember her fondly for her kindness, fierce intellect, and love of animals, books, art, poetry, feminist politics, and baseball.

Special thanks from Marilyn’s family to Doctor Lin and his staff, the nurses and staff at Virginia Mason Hospital, Vashon Hospice, and most importantly the circle of mom’s close friends who helped and supported us in so many ways during the last three months.

A graveside service was held on October 27, 2017, at the Vashon Island Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages friends and family to send a donation in Marilyn’s name to the Nature Conservancy or to a progressive female candidate for local, state or national office.

Please visit our online guest book at islandfunderal.com. A celebration of Marilyn’s life will be held at a time/place to be determined. Please note in the guest book or contact family if you would like to be included in this gathering.