Coupeville Sports

   Marilyn and John Fisken, Sr. were married for 47 years. (Photos courtesy John Fisken)

With children Mary and John, as our local paparazzi headed into graduation.

Marilyn (on right) had a long and successful bowling career.

Present-opening time.

The Fiskens wed.

John and Mary with their mom.

She served her country and she served her family.

Marilyn Dell (Lee) Fisken, who passed away Aug. 8 in Seattle, just shy of her 82nd birthday, was a friendly, outgoing woman much loved by her children.

One of those progeny is John Fisken, a man who devotes a considerable amount of his free time to snapping photos which grace the stories here on Coupeville Sports.

And, while I didn’t know his mom very well, the one time I met her, before a Coupeville High School volleyball match where the Wolves were helping to raise funds in honor of John’s sister Mary’s ongoing battle with cancer, she made an immediate impression on me.

She had been ill for some time, fighting her own battles, but she was clear-eyed and warm, a fighter herself, from way back.

As I’ve learned more about her life, my admiration for her only widens.

Marilyn was born in Clarinda, Iowa Sept. 23, 1934, the only daughter of Robert and Rubie (Holbrook) Lee, sister to three brothers — Robert Jr., Brainard and Roger.

She came to Washington when her parents obtained work at Ft. Lewis during World War II, eventually graduating from Tacoma’s Lincoln High School in 1952.

She found her own calling in the military, proudly serving in the United States Navy from 1952-1960, rising to Yeoman 2nd Class.

It was a family tradition, with two of her brothers and her son also serving in the Navy.

After leaving the military behind, the American sailor married the pride of Canada, John Ledlie Fisken, in 1961, and the duo raised two children over the course of a 47-year marriage.

Remembered by those closest to her as a “kind, generous person” who got her greatest joy from her family, Marilyn was always up to something.

An avid bowler for three decades, she transitioned into a wily bridge player in her later years.

Regardless of what activity she might be doing, she was drawn to others, and them to her.

“She was very social and loved having a house full of people,” her son said.

Preceded in death by her parents and her husband, who passed in 2008, Marilyn leaves behind a large, tightly-knit family.

John (and wife Diane), Mary, all three brothers and grandchildren Kathryn (Fisken) Sooter (and husband Erik) and Michael Fisken survive her, as do numerous nieces and nephews.

She is also survived by her beloved great-niece, Nellie Scoular, who lived with Marilyn and her husband for several years.

Later Nellie was a deeply devoted live-in caretaker for both Marilyn and Mary.

Family is planning a memorial for Mrs. Fisken, set for Sunday, Aug. 28, 3 PM at Alderwood Community Church (3403 Alderwood Mall Blvd) in Lynnwood.

As befits a woman who wasn’t fussy, and loved both football and family deeply, dress is casual.

In fact, if you were to show up wearing Seahawk or Husky gear, it would be viewed as a loving tribute to a die-hard fan who wasn’t shy about her loyalties.

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