Marilyn Dickens, 62, died March 18, 2007 in her home in Oak Harbor. She died of complications from cancer. Marilyn was born Oct. 11, 1944 to Glenn and Lydia Dillard in Sacramento, Calif. In 1967 she married Ernie Dickens and together they raised two children, Wendy and Justin.

Marilyn graduated from McClatchy High School in Sacramento in 1962 and went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Oregon and a Master’s degree from the University of San Francisco. She started her career in teaching in 1966 and continued to educate until her retirement in 2004. During her career, she taught nine different grade levels and many different subject areas. She was also selected to serve for many years on state and national committees developing standardized mathematics tests.

Marilyn and her family lived in many different places, including Del Rio, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Ukiah, San Anselmo and Oak Harbor. In Ukiah, she became involved with a number of community organizations and projects. She served as the president of the Ukiah chapter of the American Association of University Women and served a couple of years as a member of the Ukiah City Council. Upon moving to Oak Harbor, Marilyn joined the First United Methodist Church and sang in the choir. She was active in the Fidalgo Island Quilters, the Deception Pass Sail & Power Squadron, the Oak Harbor Yacht Club and the Whidbey Golf & Country Club. She became a Master Gardener and developed strong interests in bird watching and watercolor painting. She had always been an avid reader and card player. Her favorite places were Paris, Switzerland, Venice, Tuscany, Provence and Scotland. She also greatly enjoyed vacationing at many places in Mexico and in Tikal, Guatemala, as well. In recent years, she had come to love cruising to Alaska and touring throughout Canada, from Vancouver Island to Nova Scotia.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 40 years, Ernie Dickens; her daughter Wendy Chenkovich her son Justin Dickens; her son-in-law Paul Chenkovich; and her grandchildren, Alex and Ella Chenkovich.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Skagit Cremation Services. A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Oak Harbor on Monday, April 2 at 1 p.m.

Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Oak Harbor (www.ohfume.org); Skagit Hospice (www.skagithospicefoundagtion.com), or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through her son’s participation in Team-in-Training (www.active.com/donate/tntwaak/JDdick

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