Marlana Kay Stoddard-Hayes

A lover of nature, science, and the pursuit of knowledge, Marlana Stoddard-Hayes will be remembered for her persistent creative mind and spirit, both of which prevailed her entire life until her passing on January 25th of 2025. Born on November 5th of 1957 in Ottumwa, Iowa, Marlana was raised in Oskaloosa, Iowa by her parents Roy and Joyce Stoddard.

Marlana was a creative visionary from a young age, when she would secretly draw in closets and on walls with crayons. As she grew, she fell in love with collecting shells and began keeping journals to document her life through both writing and art—a habit that would stick with her all her life. Marlana was also a highly active individual who enjoyed competitive swimming and horseback riding in her youth. She would often reflect fondly on traveling with her family and her horses, King Cobra and Keomah Ann, to compete in shows across the state of Iowa. Throughout her whole life, she valued going on walks, warmly greeting every person she walked by and collecting mushrooms or other organisms for her artwork.

She started formally studying painting, drawing, calligraphy, and lithography at age 18, attending several universities and programs, earning a BFA and an MFA. Shortly after, she obtained grants to teach in rural Kansas high schools. She also traveled abroad to countries such as France and Austria to continue her studies, even becoming fluent in French. Marlana became a full-tenure professor at the Dodge City Community College in Kansas. She was always thankful for the 25 fellowships and grants over the course of her career in support of her work and the time spent in academic life spanning 40 years.

In 1990, she fell in love with the beauty of the Pacific Northwest while on a year long sabbatical at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology in Otis, Oregon. After her year in Oregon, Marlana returned to her home in Dodge City, Kansas to resume her teaching career, While visiting a mutual friend in Wichita, she was introduced to Bob Hayes. The two were smitten with each other and married on September 25th,1993 in Dodge City at St. Cornelius Episcopal Parish. Inspired by the nature and freedom she experienced in the Pacific Northwest, Marlana felt drawn to return. She and Bob decided to move to West Linn, Oregon in 1998, where they purchased a home. In January of 2004, the couple traveled to China to adopt their daughter, Jun, who they have raised together for the last 21 years.

Marlana continued to teach drawing and painting at several universities and colleges in the Portland area and returned to Sitka nearly every year over the summer to teach a workshop. She maintained a steady studio practice all throughout her years in Oregon. Art was what made her soul really sing and there was no end to her creativity. No matter where she was, you would always see her sketching, whether it was in her journals, a napkin, or a scrap of paper.

A loving, strong-willed individual, Marlana believed that it was important to always stay curious and to maintain your faith. She was greatly inspired by the world around her and fostered a particular love for plants, which she channeled into curating her beloved garden. When not painting or gardening, she would often sit with her loved ones (cats and dogs!) in the kitchen, accompanied by freshly brewed tea, orchestra music and an intriguing conversation.

She is survived by her loving husband, Bob, and their daughter, Jun. A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 1704 NE 43rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97213; with a reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.