Marilyn Janece Daugherty, long time resident of Oak Harbor and retired master school teacher in Oak Harbor School District, passed away March 4, 2003, in the comfort of her home, where she was embraced by the love of her immediate family. Marilyn battled breast cancer very courageously and relentlessly for nearly five years. She never gave up hope in being victorious over this insidious disease and was so determined to beat it right up until the very end. Her hope was eternal. Her courage and fortitude to continue the fight was steadfast and strong. She was the apple of her family’s eye and the very best friend any person could hope to have. She was loved unconditionally by her family and friends and she loved the Lord with all of her heart. She will live on in our hearts forevermore.
Marilyn was born on June 15, 1936, to Marion A. and J. Vydell Palmer in Yakima. She is survived by her lifetime soul mate, best friend and husband of nearly 44 years, Burdon R. “Duck” Daugherty at the family home in Oak Harbor. She is also survived by a son, Jeffrey Dean Daugherty and his wife Julie Daugherty, a daughter, Jill J. (Daugherty) Woods, and her two teenaged daughters, Jessica Janece and Jamesa Jane Woods. All children and grandchildren are living in Oak Harbor. She is survived by two brothers, J. Denton Palmer and spouse, Eva Palmer of Oak Harbor and John E. Palmer and spouse Carolyn Palmer of Grapeview. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Melissa Kay Daugherty.
Marilyn graduated from Selah High School in 1954 and attended Central Washington University where she earned her degree in psychology and education.
Her greatest professional joy in life was teaching kids who were engaged in the learning process. She encouraged her students to strive to achieve their personal best in all of their endeavors. She possessed a creative flair in her teaching style and her assignments or projects always had a creative twist to them. It isn’t uncommon for former students to seek her out and correspond with her even to this day. A special tribute that she shared with her students as they each graduated from high school was to send them a graduation card and include a paper that the student had written in her creative writing class when they were a sixth grader. She has always been such a special teacher and mentor for so many kids over the years.
She taught at several schools during her teaching career beginning in Clarksville, Tenn., and then moved to Washington state where she taught at Whitney Elementary in Yakima, Washington Elementary in Kennewick, Olympic View Elementary in Oak Harbor and completed her teaching career at Oak Harbor Middle School in 1991. At retirement she had completed 19 of her 32 years of teaching in the Oak Harbor School District. In her retirement years, she has devoted hundreds of volunteer hours at local elementary schools in Oak Harbor, special reading programs and youth ministry programs. She loved working with kids of all ages and loved the profession of teaching.
Marilyn was a member of Oak Harbor First Reformed Church, Delta Kappa Gamma, The Christian Women’s Group, the Oak Harbor Education Association, Washington Education Association and the National Education Association. She and Duck were very active member of the Whidbey Cruisers car club.
Marilyn’s personal joys in life revolved around her family and extended families. Her husband, Duck of 44 years, was always a constant source of good humor and encouragement. Together, they built a great life filled with countless memories and have enjoyed participating in the lives of their children and their children’s families. They made an awesome team together and were always thought us as the couple that had it all.
Marilyn was a very loving and devoted Nana to her two granddaughters Jessica and Jamesa. She loved being a “Nana” and took this role very much to heart. Her influence in their lives has been a cornerstone of their upbringing. She has helped shape them into the fine young ladies they are today. She was also a favorite Auntie to many nieces and nephews.
To her children, friends, and extended family she taught the importance of staying true to your values and commitments in life. She also taught us the importance of family ties. She loved holiday gatherings and especially loved Christmas. Being an avid snowman collector, she had an adorable snowman in every area of the house! She holds the record for baking the best gingersnaps and banana nut bread in the world, according to her kids and grandkids.
Although we all wish our time with her wasn’t cut so short, we will reflect upon our time with her as being measured by quality rather than quantity. We are blessed with our many memories, Duck’s videos, our close family ties and love in our hearts.
Memorials may be made to Whidbey Island Hospital Foundation in c/o the Medical Ambulatory Clinic (MAC) to benefit the Oncology Unit and/or to the Oak Harbor Education Foundation, Camp Moran fund to benefit the Outdoor Education program at Camp Moran for Oak Harbor students and teachers. Marilyn was one of the founders of this awesome outdoor education program, which has benefited thousands of students over the years. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, March 8, at First Reformed Church.
