Marilyn Jean Hillier

Marilyn Jean (Coleman) Hillier died on April 14, 2017 after a decades-long fight against thyroid cancer. She was born September 11, 1929 in Hoquiam, Washington, the elder daughter of Earl S. Coleman and Rhoda Gillies Coleman. She was educated in Hoquiam public schools, graduating in 1947 from Hoquiam High School. She was a member of the Hoquiam Presbyterian Church and sang in all three of its choirs. She attended the University of Oregon in a five-year program in nursing, spending two years on the Eugene campus and three years at the Oregon School of Medicine in Portland (now Oregon Science and Health University), graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1952 and was licensed as a Registered Nurse in Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, California and Colorado.

She worked as a surgical nurse at Children’s Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle for five years, then at Shelton General Hospital, at Kapiolani Maternity Hospital in Honolulu, at Palo Alto Hospital and Stanford Medical Center in California and as an EMT/EMT Trainer and School Nurse in Colorado.

She was a prodigious card and letter writer, always remembering birthdays and other important dates of her large family and always sending thank you notes and letters. She was a bright, congenial, competent, kind lady, and wise and caring to all. She was a good listener with great instincts and willing to respond with thoughtful suggestions and practical solutions.

She married a Navy flier, Lt. Commander Alfred Long in Honolulu in 1959. They became the parents of two sons, Michael Kenneth Long and Mark David Long, and lived in Mountain View, CA and O’Fallon, IL while he completed 20 years of service in the Navy. He then became an Instructor-Pilot for United Airlines in Denver and they lived in Parker, CO. She later married Robert Haynes and lived in Fortuna, CA, Hoodsport, WA, and Tumwater, WA. In 2004, she re-met Ralph E. Hillier and they renewed a relationship from U of O days, which led to their marriage on December 3, 2004. They have resided in Beaverton, OR.

She is survived by her husband Ralph, her two sons, Mike and Mark, a daughter-in-law Cindy, two grandchildren, Anna Long and Will Long, seven stepsons, twenty-two step- grandchildren and twenty-three step great-grandchildren, as well as nephews and cousins. Her parents and sister Anita predeceased her.

The family wishes to acknowledge the compassionate care of the doctors, nurses and staff of Providence Medical Group, Providence Oncology and Hematology-Westside, the Oregon Clinic, and Providence Hospice.

Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR. (503) 292-6611

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