Melody Elaine MARSHALL Obituary (2024)

Melody Elaine Marshall, Born in Spokane Washington, July 1, 1946. She was 78 years old when she passed in her home of 48 years in Yakima on August 19, 2024, with her husband at her side. Melody was born in Spokane, Washington to Lois and Del Brown. She grew up in Spokane except when her family moved to Texas for a few years. Graduating from Shadle Park High School in 1964 where she was on the Hi-Lassies drill team. Melody also met Marvin Marshall, the love of her life and husband of 60 years, during high school in Spokane. Melody and Marvin got married in 1964 in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and had their first daughter Michelle Elaine. Soon to be followed by Yvonne Renee in 1966 and Lynette Victoria in 1969. Melody stayed home with the girls while Marvin worked and went to college to eventually earn his teaching degree. This led to their move to Yakima as Marvin got his first teaching job at Franklin Junior High in 1971. Melody continued to stay at home raising girls until Lynette started Kindergarten. Melody then got a job as a paraprofessional at the school the girls attended, Barge Lincoln. Her quest to go to college started slowly as she worked as a paraprofessional and later as an American Sign Language Interpreter until she completed her bachelor's in education at Central Washington University in 1989. She was a special Education teacher pre- kindergarten and the early grades of elementary school. Teaching at Hoover, Whitney and Gilbert. She continued her education through CWU to earn her master's degree in 1993. Melody was fantastic at hand crafts, sewing her own clothes, knitting, crocheting, macrame and quilting. Melody loved planting flowers and tending to her flower beds and containers. She was very creative with a wonderful imagination. Melody loved the Pacific Ocean with many trips to the Oregon and Washington coasts through the years. She also absolutely loved Mt Rainier, visiting the park regularly and making sure her girls knew the names of all the flowers. Further travel included Yellowstone and Glacier Parks as well as the Canadian Rockies going to Banff and Jasper with Jim and Jan Marshall. (Marvin's Brother and sister in-law) After retirement they enjoyed further travel to Hawaii and Alaska and multiple places throughout the West. Melody dabbled in raising and showing cats for several years as did her mom Lois Brown. Melody specialized in Silver Persians. She also enjoyed attending Wesley United Methodist Church and 1st Presbyterian, regularly studying the Bible and playing in the bell choir at Wesley. Melody was preceded in death by her parents, Lois and Del Brown; Her Aunt and Uncle, Ralph and Barlee Brown; Parents in law, Delbert and Shirley Marshall; Sister-in-law Jan Marshall; Cousins, Merrily Deardoff, Dewey Brown and Jerry Brown. Survived by: Husband, Marvin, Daughter, Michelle Williams (Rolf), granddaughter Jordan Lopez (Israel) great granddaughters, Rowan and Metztli, grandson Gerik Williams, Daughter, Yvonne Robinson (Tom) granddaughters, Delaney and Maisy. Daughter, Lynette Marshall (Greg); Brother-in-law Jim Marshall, sister-in-law Gloria Brodhagen (David), Brother Barry Brown (Mary), Cousin Marita Cardinal (Brad). Special thanks to Heartlinks Hospice and HopeBridge Home Health for their amazing care. A private family memorial will be held at Terrace Heights Memorial Park on September 3, 2024. An open house will be held at the Robinsons home after the service. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Heartlinks Hospice in c/o Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936) who is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.