Marilyn “Kay” McDevitt, age 80, passed away on January 3, 2026 in Naches, WA. “Kay” was born on August 12, 1945 on the military base in San Diego, CA to Dorothy and Bob Mead. She was raised in Selah, Washington, along with her younger siblings Patti (O’Farrell) and Bobby Mead. Kay graduated from Selah high school in 1963, then attended Washington State University, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education in 1967. She met the love of her life, John “PeeWee” McDevitt in the sixth grade and they married on August 13, 1966, the day after she turned 21!
They moved back to Selah and she began working at Gilbert Elementary School as a third grade teacher in 1967. She paused her career to stay at home and raise their two children, Shawn and Mindy. She was actively involved in all of their adventures and school activities - as a parent volunteer, levy committee member, Sunday school teacher, a campfire leader and served on the board of directors for many years. She went back to teaching in 1987 for the Selah School District until 1995.
Kay and John vacationed for years in Hope, Idaho on Lake Pend Oreille, and decided to relocate there full time in 1995. They returned to the Yakima Valley in 2021 to be closer to their children and families.
Kay loved becoming a grandparent in 1998 and spent the next 28 years enjoying every minute of it! Jacob, Lauren, Tristan and Joelle brought her enormous pride and joy.
Kay was diagnosed with cancer in May of 2024. She continued to live each day to the fullest with a smile and a positive attitude until her passing.
Kay will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, John D. McDevitt, her son Shawn (Diane) McDevitt of Yakima and her daughter Mindy (Dennis) Forbes of Naches, her grandchildren Jacob (Corissa) Forbes, Lauren (Joshua) Roberts, Tristan McDevitt and Joelle (Nicholas) Kaufman; her sister Patti (Pat) O’Farrell and her brother Bobby (Cindy) Mead; brother in law Rudy Juul and numerous nieces, nephews and lifelong friends.
Our family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Memorial’s hospice team for their compassionate care, comfort, and support during the last few months. Your kindness meant more to us than words can express.
A visitation will be at Keith & Keith, 902 West Yakima Ave, Yakima, WA, 98902, on Friday, January 9th from 4:00-7:00 pm. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 10th at 1:00 pm at the Grace of Christ, Presbyterian Church, 9 S 8th Ave, Yakima, WA 98902. Reception to follow at the church.
Donations may be made in Kay’s name to Canyon Bloom “Petals for Patients”, Multicare Yakima Memorial Hospice or the Naches Fire Department.
