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B. "Marilyn" Hannah

B. "Marilyn" Hannah obituary

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Vancouver, Washington

B. Hannah Obituary


B. MARILYN HANNAH
April 2, 1943 ~ July 3, 2016
" Marilyn lived life completely. Her days were
filled with adventure, service to others,
laughter, family, and love."

Marilyn Hannah stood atop a ski slope in the Alps. She looked down and said, "This is as high as I've ever been. If I fall I am never going to stop!". And then she summoned all her courage and headed down the mountain. Marilyn lived her life like she faced that mountain, acknowledging challenges and embracing them with grace and style.
Marilyn Hannah passed away July 3, 2016, at home with her family by her side after facing her greatest challenge, Alzheimer's disease. She did not focus on the "why" of this disease, but instead on how she could be used as a conduit for learning about and ultimately finding a cure for this devastating disease. She volunteered for clinical trials and research studies in hopes of helping others.
Marilyn was born to Jack and Betty Pannell on April 2, 1943, and raised in Longview, Washington. She graduated from R.A. Long High School. Marilyn lauded education. She earned her teaching degree from Saint Martin's College and later successfully pursued a Master's degree from Lewis and Clark College while teaching and raising her two daughters.
Marilyn was an elementary school teacher in Onalaska, Washington and with Vancouver Public Schools. Many of Marilyn's former students shared that she was a favorite teacher who set high standards and showed she truly cared about them.
Marilyn was also a passionate volunteer who did fundraising, mentoring, crisis counseling, and was a friend to any and all who needed one. Marilyn frequently supported causes that were focused on promoting education, services for children and juveniles, women in crisis, and building a rich and diverse community. Marilyn also worked and served with many organizations including Rotary, her PEO group, YWCA, Children's Home Society, Vancouver School District Foundation, Crisis Counseling Hotline, SWIFT, and Clark College to name a few.
Marilyn had a genuine heart
that made each and every person
she met feel special, valued, and important.
Marilyn also loved to have fun and found many opportunities to celebrate life and continue learning. She sought ways to improve her skills or pick up a new one. She took lessons in cooking, exercise, piano, skiing, tennis, golf (and more golf), and she relished every opportunity to try something new. She was a longtime member of Royal Oaks Country Club, Columbia River Yacht Club, The Tradition Golf Club and the former Oxford Athletic Club.
A highlight of Marilyn's life was getting to travel to some of the most spectacular places in the world. She loved to experience new cultures, meet new people and see incredible sites. She traveled throughout Europe, visited Hong Kong, Vietnam, Australia, Russia, through the Panama Canal and the Amazon Rainforest, went on an African safari, explored the Holy Lands in the Middle East, and numerous tropical locations around the world.
As much as Marilyn enjoyed her travels, her favorite place was home. Nothing was more important to her than family. Many happy memories were made with family on the boat, in Sunriver and on family vacations. She was delighted to spend time with her children and be Nana to her grandchildren. Family celebrations were filled with chaotic fun and generous amounts of love, laughter, good food and drink.
Marilyn is survived by her husband of 40 years, Richard "Dick" Hannah; her children, Dana (Kelly) Gwinn, Amy (Bob) Mesick, Jennifer (Jeff) Dougherty, and Jason (Maggie) Hannah; her grandchildren, Justin and Jacob Gwinn, Ryan and Colby Mesick, Margaret and Charlie Dougherty, James and Elizabeth Hannah; and her sister, Nora (Jerry) Bain.
Our family would also like to thank and acknowledge the phenomenal love and long-term care provided by Terra (Grace) Joy Gronewald, Saane Motuliki, and Alex Cammack.
A memorial service to honor Marilyn will be held Friday, August 12, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. at Columbia Presbyterian Church, 8715 St. Helens Ave., Vancouver, WA 98664. A reception will follow at the home of Marilyn and Dick Hannah.
If you would like to make a gift in honor of Marilyn's life, please consider donating to OHSU Foundation-Layton Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center.
Please visit and sign Marilyn's guest book at:
www.columbian.com/obit.

Published by The Columbian on Jul. 17, 2016.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

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Memories and Condolences
for B. Hannah

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May love be in your heart with memories of this wonderful woman. Marilyn is truly missed by all who knew her. RIP

Lesley & Errett Hummel

August 3, 2016

My condolences to Marilyn's entire family. I knew her when we were both young women sharing our hearts and thoughts on teaching, relationships, children, and life. She was a mentor, an inspiration, a confidante, and a friend to me, and I hurt for her amazing family that loved and cared for her with reverence, joy, and tenderness when she could no longer care for herself. We will all remember her inner and outer beauty, her compassion, her curiosity, and her dedication to family, friends, students, and causes. And to Amy, her daughter and my good friend, an extra big hug and my deepest sympathy.

Chris Fink

August 2, 2016

Dick,
My thoughts are with you at this time. May your travels and years together and the memories that mean the most to you live forever in your heart. Deepest sympathy to you and your family, Carolyn (Hudson) Pehlke

July 27, 2016

Praying for Marilyn and thinking of your family at this sad time.

July 23, 2016

Dana, Kelly, and Boys
Our sincere condolences to you and your family on your loss.
Love you,
Jim and Linda Van Acker

July 23, 2016

Our deepest sympathy to the Hannah family. May God comfort you through this time of loss. May your wonderful memories live forever in your hearts. God Bless you

Dick & Janice Munson

July 23, 2016

To the Hannah family our prayers and thoughts to comfort you. Marilyn and Sue had a wonderful friendship over the years sharing family news or working together to help non profits. The memory I have was our trip to fish the waters of Powell Lake in Canada and the delightful dinner conversations and late night laughs. I still think you caught the biggest trout.
Ray Maly - Vancouver Wa

July 22, 2016

Many happy memories of Marilyn, Gyro's, our book club,golf, she was a gentile, caring lady full of grace and beauty. Rest in peace

Sue Anthony-Graham

July 21, 2016

Dick and Family: I know how special Marilyn was...she was always so lovely to me and I enjoyed getting to know her on our trip through the Panama Canal.....so proud of her gumption and spirit....she did not hesitate getting on the zipline over the jungle canopy...May you be always comforted by your wonderful memories...Sincerely and with Sympathy, Carol Inukai (Mrs. Dick Inukai)

Carol Inukai

July 19, 2016

Dick, I am so sorry for your loss. Marilyn was a warm and beautiful person.

Blair Porter

July 19, 2016

My deepest sympathy to Dick, Jason, Jennifer and family on the loss of Mrs. Hannah. I was privileged to see and speak with her many times in my early years with our company. She ALWAYS remembered my name- we even helped each other navigate the slippery steps at Alderbook at our last outing there---(2008) I know she is missed and I hold you all in prayer for comfort and even slowly returning joy at her many memories with you all.

Nancy Horn

July 19, 2016

Dana and Amy, We are so sorry for the loss of your Mom. Though I never met her, I felt like I knew her through Terra. She loved and cherished your Mom with all her heart. I hope that you'll find comfort in the loving memories that your Mom created and you all shared with her. With our deepest sympathies.

Denise & David Sandvig

July 18, 2016

To The Hannah Family. We are so sorry for your lose of such a wonderful person, mother, wife and nana. She will be greatly missed by many. Our thought and prayers are with you. Sincerely, Ed and Diane Mesick.

Ed and Diane Mesick

July 17, 2016

Dear Dana and Amy,
I have often thought about how warm and welcoming your mother was when I knew you in the old Fort days and Spanish Club. She was a great supporter of schools and all things related, including hosting our little group at your home.
My most sincere condolences for your loss.
Warmly,
Sam Gilroy-Hicks

July 17, 2016

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