Marijean Agnes Whitmore

Marijean Whitmore, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, educator, and friend, passed away on August 6, 2026, after a 14-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Marijean was born on October 19, 1939, in Chehalis, Washington, to Pearl and Eva Linscott. When she was three years old, she moved with her parents and older sister, Dorothella, to Vancouver, Washington, where she grew up and graduated from Hudson’s Bay High School in 1957. She attended Cascade College in Portland, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Oregon.

While attending Cascade College, Marijean met Robert “Bob” Whitmore, the love of her life. They married on August 21, 1964, and shared more than 60 years of marriage. They raised three children, Lynette, Daniel, and David, and welcomed their spouses, Geoff Endresen, Adina Whitmore, and Jennifer Whitmore, into the family. Marijean was the proud grandmother of Emily, Hayley, Alicia, Colin, Grace, James, Gabe, AJ, Sophie, and Nick, and great-grandmother of Lucas and Brennan.

After teaching English for two years in the Evergreen School District, Marijean spent a year earning her credentials in speech-language pathology. She went on to spend 30 years with Portland Public Schools, working with children with speech and communication difficulties. Throughout those years, Marijean balanced home and work. She loved her job, but her primary focus was always family.

Marijean’s love of people extended well beyond her professional life and family. For many years, she and Bob led and participated in youth and adult activities through their church. When they were no longer able to lead those groups, they turned their attention to sponsoring children around the world through Children of Promise and World Vision, sharing letters and gifts and providing financial support. At the time of Marijean’s death, they were sponsoring 15 children.

After retirement, Marijean and Bob traveled extensively. Together they visited all seven continents and traveled throughout the United States and Canada in their RV. Among Marijean’s favorite adventures were a safari to see the wildlife of South Africa and ten days exploring Antarctica.

Marijean was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2012. She remained at home, cared for by Bob and her loving family, until 2018, when her increasing care needs required a move to Serenity Heights Adult Family Home. She remained there for the rest of her life, receiving extraordinary care and love until her passing.

The family is deeply grateful to the staff of AccentCare Hospice for the compassionate care and support they provided to Marijean and her family during the final months of her life.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 14, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Abbey View Memorial Park, 3601 Alaska Road, Brier, Washington.

A celebration of Marijean’s life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Edmonds Church of God, 8224 220th Street SW, Edmonds, Washington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Children of Promise Emergency & Relief Fund, reflecting Marijean and Bob’s long-standing commitment to helping children around the world.