In Memoriam | Marilyn Erly, 1934-2017

— from John Erly —

Marilyn E. Erly passed away peacefully at Birchview Memory Care, Sedro Wooley, Washington on 24 Apr. 2017. She was born in Tacoma, Washington on 7 Jun. 1934.

She grew up on Puget Sound, in Dash Point, and attended school at Federal Way. She continued her education at Western Washington. She took time off from school to get married in 1954.

She and their two daughters then followed her husband, a U. S. Marine, wherever the Marines sent him in the U.S., from coast to coast. While he was overseas the family stayed in San Diego or returned to Dash Point.

In 1971 she received her B.A. Degree in Drama, from San Diego State. She received her MA in Drama, from San Diego State, in 1972. While attending college she worked full time and raised a family.

She continued her drama education in voice, diction, stage movement, and acting at various schools. She appeared in several productions in the Seattle area and a Hollywood movie that was filmed on Lopez Island.

During this time, she worked as a Costume Designer at Children’s Theatre, ACT Theatre, Eastside Theatre Company, Empty Space Theatre, The Group Theatre, Intiman Theatre, and Bathhouse Theatre in Seattle, just to name a few. She continued her education, in her spare time in art. She sold some of her art works at Pike Place Market in Seattle and on Orcas Island. In between all this she loved to travel.

On Orcas Island, she was involved with the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Friends of the Library, Orcas Community Theatre, Orcas Medical Center Board, Orcas Senior Center Board and almost all Art and Literature classes available on Orcas Island.

Both of her parents, sister, and brother passed away a few years ago. She leaves behind her husband John and daughters Robin and Tricia of Orcas Island.