Marilyn Yvonne Fox passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of December 29th, 2023. She was 89 years old.
She was born in Tacoma, Washington May 11th, 1934, to Jack and Ann Cross joining her brother Jack and sister JoAnne.
Marilyn grew up in Tacoma and Graduated from Stadium High School in 1951. It was during hertime at Stadium that she met Bruce Edward Fox who she would go on to marry and create a long life together with many great memories.
Marilyn and Bruce were married on August 24th, 1952. Shortly aftertheir marriage, Bruce enlisted in the US Navy and togetherthey moved to Monterey, California where he was stationed. While in Monterey, Marilyn and Bruce gave birth to their first child. Aftertheir enlistment they moved to Tacoma and then on to Bellingham where Bruce finished his teaching degree at Western Washington University. In 1961, and with three more children, Marilyn and Bruce moved the family to Vashon Island where Bruce accepted his first teaching position at Burton Elementary school. Marilyn held various jobs during their early years on Vashon including Plaza Fabrics, K2 Corporation and selling Avon.
Purchasing a home on the waterin Cedarhurst fed into a passion Marilyn and Bruce both had for boating and being on the water. For nearly 20 years they would take the family during the summer months on long trips through the inside passage into British Columbia exploring the islands and passageways while harvesting most of their meals from the sea. In later years they sold the boat and purchased a fifth wheel and explored the USA.
Marilyn was very involved as a mother. She always put her foot forward enjoying various roles including coaching softball, leading Girl Scouts, acting as a Cub Scout den mother and attending all sporting events her children were involved in. Her house was always open to her children’s friends and over the years she nurtured a few of these friends, inviting them to live with the family while they worked through life’s struggles. She was a mother and mentor to and for many.
Marilyn was a gentle multi-talented creative force. As a lifelong artist attending her first painting classes at age 11, she would go on to expand her artistry as a seamstress. In this she created Quartermaster Tops which through applique, she stitched her designs onto various forms of apparel. Her business grew overthe years, hiring as many as 28 employees.This allowed herto meet the demands of the international markets she was selling to. Julie Andrews fell in love with and outfitted her cast and crew with Marilyns designs. Marilyn was forever applying her creativity. For many years, she painted the Christmas scenes in downtown Tacoma department store windows, and then Vashon Sprouse Ritz, Kimmel’s (IGA), and Thriftway. She loved thrifting and went to many yard sales to collect vintage jewelry and antiques. Later in life she would utilize and combine pieces of her vintage jewelry to create beautiful, framed artwork. Marilyn was an active member of the Vashon Island Quilters. The friends she met through quilting and the activities they did together were always very dear to her heart.
Marilyn will always be remembered as a generous, vibrant and caring woman who made friends wherever she went. Her home was an open door, and she always made you feel welcome. Family was first to Marilyn, and she cherished time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a positive attitude regardless of the struggle’s life put in front of her.
Marilyn leaves behind her four children, Bruce (Rosita), Mike (Lois), Becky (Mark) and Darren (Diane) along with 9 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Bruce Fox and grandson Andy MacDonald.
Memorial Services will be on Saturday, January 27th, 1:00 pm at the Bethel Church. Reception to follow.
You may Livestream this event at the following Link: bethelvashon.com.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to: Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation 2811 South 102nd St. Suite 220 Tukwila Wa. 98168 www.providence.org/hosdonate
