Marilyn (Willoughby) Stinnett, age 74, passed away on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at her home in Glendive.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 18, 2015 at the Silha Funeral Home in Glendive with Reverend Avis Anderson officiating. A lunch reception will follow at the Silha Tribute Center. Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Marilyn was born on June 6, 1941 in Wolf Point, Mont. to Muriel and J.H. (Pee Wee) Willoughby. She moved to Glendive when she was young and graduated from Dawson County High School in 1959. She moved to California for a short time, then returned to Glendive where she met and married Bob Stinnett. They moved to Glasgow Air Force Base in 1969. Together with their sons, Robert, Sandy and Russ, they spent seven years there before returning to Glendive in 1976. Marilyn spent her professional life as a legal secretary working for various judges, county attorneys and private practice lawyers until retiring on December 31, 2014.
However, Marilyn would likely name motherhood as her most important job. She was eternally proud of her sons, Sandy and Rusty, and her pride continued to grow with her five grandchildren. Nothing was more special to her than sharing time with her family. She also enjoyed relaxing with a hot cup of Earl Grey tea, a good book and the companionship of her four-legged family members.
Known affectionately as “The Magpies,” Marilyn developed special relationships with other “legal gals” in the community, as well as the “59’ers” (her classmates from the DCHS class of 1959). She was also a member of the Women of the Moose, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Ladies Auxiliary VFW.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James Henry (Pee Wee) and Muriel (Shefelbine) Willoughby; her sister, Winifred; an infant sister; and one son, Robert Stinnett.
Survivors include her sons, Sandon (Jackie) Stinnett of Glendive and Russell (Amber) Stinnett of Havre; and five grandchildren, Brett and Tayler Stinnett, and Myles, Abigail and Adison Stinnett.
In lieu of flowers, family members have requested memorials to be sent to the Boys and Girls Club in Marilyn’s name.
Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silhafuneralhome.com.