Marilyn J. Riley

Marilyn Joye Allen was born in Portland, Oregon on December 14, 1931; she passed away August 31, 2023 at Highgate Senior Living in Wenatchee. Marilyn never lived in Portland, the family was just passing through at the time of her birth. Her childhood was spent on both sides of the mountains in Washington State with her parents, Roe and Alice Allen and her sister, Betty Jean. The family moved around quite often. She told of picking cherries on the heights and hops in Yakima, between various other jobs. She attended both Whitman and Lewis and Clark Elementary at different times the family was living in Wenatchee, as well H.B. Ellison Jr. High. She spent all of her high school years in Chelan and graduated from Chelan High School in 1949. Her first job after graduation was at Farmers and Merchants Bank in Chelan. She had some college credit but no formal degree. Over the years she worked at Alcoa, Coca Cola Bottling, Community Savings and Loan, and Employment Security Department. She started there as an ‘itinerant’ worker and retired as a supervisor. She married Norman C. Riley December 31, 1949. He was the true love of her life; the knight in shining armor, the handsome prince and protector all rolled up into one. They lived in Brewster after they were married, then moved to East Wenatchee. They built a wonderful life together and raised three children, Lanny, Steve, and Alisa. They instilled in their children a love of God and appreciation for nature. They spent many happy hours camping, skiing, swimming, riding horses, and driving vacations seeing the country. She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; son, Lanny; her parents, Roe and Alice; and sister, Betty Jean. She is survived by her children, Steven C. Riley and wife, Meg, and Alisa M. Michael and husband, Jerry; grandchildren, Andrea Riste (Jarred), Angela Sawyer (Tom), Amy Michael-Walls (Mitch), Laine Sumner (Jon), and Savannah Pryor; plus eleven great-grandchildren Marilyn lived a blessed life full of family and friends. She was soft hearted, a lover of animals, an unswerving champion of the underdog. She was strong, loyal and true. She loved God and had a pure heart; we believe Matthew 5:6. Friends and family may visit and view, Friday, September 15 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at Jones & Jones – Betts Funeral Home. Marilyn’s life will be celebrated on Monday, October 9 at 11:00 AM at Evergreen Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel in East Wenatchee.

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Marilyn J. Riley

December 14, 1931 - August 31, 2023