Marilyn Lucile Taylor

85 Years

Marilyn L. Olsen was born in Spokane, WA, the first child of Art and Opal (Broadwell) Olsen. Art’s parents and siblings had moved to Opportunity in about 1913 and purchased acreage between Bowdish and Union on 4th Ave. Their dad, Gulle Olsen, divided the land between seven of his children, all of whom proceeded to build homes. The strip became locally known as “Olsen Row” in the 1930s. Marilyn was joined in the family by her brother Glenn. Soon after, Art and Opal took over the Rainbow Service station at the corner of Sprague and Farr and made a new home for the family in a tiny, “crooked” house behind the station.

Marilyn attended Opportunity Grade School and Central Valley High School, graduation in 1948. She then attended Whitworth College and graduated in 1952 with a major in Physical Education and a minor in music. She married Douglas Taylor in 1951. She taught PE at Opportunity Grade School for one year, and at newly opened Broadway Elementary for a semester before taking a home on Broadway Ave in the valley and built their own home.

Once the kids were grown, Marilyn enrolled in the teaching at Argonne and Park Junior Highs, beginning a 26 year career teaching music and choir in the West Valley District junior high and elementary schools. Doug died suddenly in 1991, so Marilyn began a new phase in life. She retired in 1992 and started a life of travel. In all she travelled in over 40 countries, enjoying the company of friends and family in her adventures. She was a life-long member of Opportunity Presbyterian Church there she was the longest serving member of the congregation at the time of her death. She sang in the church’s choir for 73 years.

She is survived by her children David (Martha) of Meridian, ID: Marcia of Spokane Valley: her brother Glenn of Stanwood, WA: two grandchildren, Amy (Chance) Whitmore and Taylor; brother-in-law Don Taylor of Harrison, ID, and many, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Celebration of Marilyn’s Life will be held at Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Rd. Spokane Valley, on Saturday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m.