Marilyn was born in Coronach, Saskatchewan, Canada to her parents, Samuel and Anne Engel Cochrane in 1939. She entered the world with strength and determination that would hold throughout her life. Marilyn’s childhood started on a horse ranch near the Montana border with her parents, younger brother James “Randy,” and Grandmother Minnie Stotts Cochrane from whom she learned about her Scottish family history. In 1946, the family purchased a movie theatre in Fife Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada. In 1949, the theatre was moved to Vanguard, Saskatchewan, where Marilyn finished her high school education.
Marilyn was an avid artist and received an art scholarship to attend the Saskatchewan Teachers College in Regina, SK, Canada. Although she married right after high school, she went on to attend college and graduated with a teaching diploma in 1960. Marilyn taught several elementary grades before she and her husband Fredrick decided to immigrate to Los Angeles, California USA. Once in the States, Marilyn taught Kindergarten at First Lutheran Parochial School in Burbank, California.
In the late 1960’s, Marilyn and Fred welcomed their two daughters Deirdre and Heather into the world. In the late 1970’s, Marilyn left teaching to work in the banking industry, and soon thereafter the family moved to Portland, Oregon. It was at this time that Marilyn became very involved in the local Scottish Community and with the Portland Highland Games Association. She spearheaded the collaboration of the installation of the Glencoe Memorial at the Old Scotch Church in Hillsboro, Oregon. Marilyn was awarded and appointed the North Western Regional Historian of Clan Donald. She would light up the room when she would recount the Scottish Wars of Independence from the Roman and British empires with great detail. Marilyn was the family storyteller, regaling memories and stories with joy and adoration. She loved to sew and could duplicate even the most complicated fashions. She took pride in sewing both of her daughter’s wedding gowns.
Marilyn later remarried to the love of her life, Keith, whom she met through the Scottish community. Keith and Marilyn dedicated many years of service together to the local Scottish community, maintaining the history and traditions. From 1999 until 2003, Marilyn served as the President of the Portland Highland Games Association and was a pivotal decision maker serving on the elected board for many years thereafter.
Marilyn worked for several years at Providence Hospital supporting the IT department and later dedicated time to serving the children at the Providence Child Center for Medically Fragile Children in Portland, Oregon. Marilyn dedicated her life to education and children, both as a teacher and an administrative assistant. When she retired from her working career with Providence Medical Group, Marilyn completed her career full circle serving and sharing her love with children. Marilyn was a member of the Daughters of the British Empire and the Hillsboro Chapter of Eastern Star as Worthy Matron. Marilyn’s love of art and music led her to the Portland Opera as an annual season ticket holder. Marilyn had a passion for learning and world travel to explore new places including Scotland, Ireland, Italy, South America, Tahiti, China, South East Asia, Hawaii, New Mexico, and across the United States and Canada, to name a few of her favorites.
Marilyn will be dearly missed by her loving family, many friends and loved ones. Marilyn was captivating. She was a dedicated and devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother; her family was her whole world. Marilyn was her family’s matriarch and she found great personal pride in her family’s accomplishments, life events and achievements. She was the one in the front row cheering us on.
Marilyn was surrounded by love, music and family during her final moments. She is survived by her two daughters, Deirdre and Heather; five grandchildren, Chloe, Sophie, Riley, Garett, and Megan; five great grandchildren, Boedy, Henry, Noah, Mackenzie, and Oliver; and her brother Randy. Her legacy and memory will forever be in our hearts.
A celebration of life service will be held at Finley-Sunset Hills Mortuary on Saturday, February 24th, 2024 at 2pm. Traditional Scottish attire is encouraged, but not mandatory. Flowers are welcome. Monetary gifts gathered will be later put towards a music scholarship in Marilyn’s name.
The family encourages you to share your condolences, cherished memories, and favorite photos on this page to be shared and enjoyed. All contributions to this page made by 3/2/2024 will be included in a hardcover book for the family.
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