Marilyn E. Tibbetts

Marilyn E. Tibbetts, 69, of La Grande, died Sunday, January 8, 2006 at the Grande Ronde Hospital following a year-long courageous battle with pneumonia. A Celebration of Life service will begin at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 12, 2006 at Daniels Chapel of the Valley. A committal and interment will follow at the Island City Cemetery.

Marilyn was born February 13, 1936 to Sanford and Jeannette (Leichty) Foster in Hamilton, Montana. Before settling in La Grande at age 10, the family lived in Newberg and Baker City, Oregon. Marilyn attended the old Fruitdale School and went to La Grande High School. She was a member of the class of 1955.

On December 17, 1955 she married Denzil Wade Tibbetts. They enjoyed many happy years together as husband and wife.

Marilyn worked in several different professions throughout her life. She worked for Bert and Belva Shelton at their restaurant in La Grande in the 1950's. She answered phones for the taxi cab company that Denzil and she owned in the mid 1960's. In the late 1960's she went to work for Genevieve's children's clothing store and worked there through the mid 1970's. In the mid 1980's she started her own child care business which she ran until she retired in 1991. She was a hard worker with lots of energy and love for all whose lives she touched.

She loved gardening, latch hook, cooking, singing and playing the guitar. She also enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing with her true love, Denzil.

Marilyn was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her family was very important to her. She used that love for her family and her strength to help her battle several terminal illnesses over the past six years. Strong and courageous, generous and kind were all traits that she used every day to influence the lives of people she knew. Her positive attitudes while dealing with life's struggles were an inspiration to all.

Survivors include her son and beloved daughter-in-law, Robert and Heather Tibbetts of La Grande; daughters and their spouses, Beckey and Ben Bartmess of La Grande and Brenda Tibbetts-Voyles and Doug Voyles of Pendleton; brothers, Marvin Foster of Caldwell, Idaho and Carl Foster of Weiser, Idaho; sisters and their spouses, Vera and Dale Courtney of Fruitland, Idaho, Joyce and Dick Craig of Silverdale, Washington and Naomi and Dave Robins of Boise, Idaho; four grandchildren and their spouses, Austin Tibbetts of La Grande, Nicole and Scott Watson of Union, Sidney and Tonya Wilkins of Tilden, Nebraska and Steven Wilkins of Pendleton; great grandchildren, Daaylen, Zoe and Faith Watson of Union, Dylan and Whitney Wilkins of Tilden, Nebraska and Trinity Wilkins of Pendleton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Denzil in 1996 and her parents, Sanford and Jeanette Foster.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the GRH Home Health/Hospice or the Oregon Cancer Society in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.