Marilyn Jean (Coleman) Hillier died on April 14, 2017, after a decades-long fight against thyroid cancer. She was born Sept. 11, 1929, in Hoquiam, Wash., the elder daughter of Earl S. Coleman and Rhoda Gillies Coleman. She was educated in Hoquiam public schools, graduating in 1947 from Hoquiam High School. She was a member of the Hoquiam Presbyterian Church and sang in all three of its choirs. She attended the University of Oregon in a five-year program in nursing, spending two years on the Eugene campus and three years at the Oregon School of Medicine in Portland (now Oregon Science and Health University), graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1952 and was licensed as a Registered Nurse in Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, California and Colorado.

She worked as a surgical nurse at Children’s Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle for five years, then at Shelton General Hospital, at Kapiolani Hospital in Honolulu, at Palo Alto Hospital and Stanford Medical Center in California and as an EMT/EMT Trainer and School Nurse in Colorado.

She was a prodigious card and letter writer, always remembering birthdays and other important dates of her large family and always sending thank you notes and letters. She was a bright, congenial, competent, kind lady, and wise and caring to all. She was a good listener with great instincts and willing to respond with thoughtful suggestions for practical solutions.

She married a Navy flier, Lt. Commander Alfred Long in 1959, with whom she delivered two sons, Michael Kenneth Long and Mark David Long, and lived in Mountain View, Calif. and O’Fallon, Ill. while he was in the service. He became an Instructor-Pilot for United Airlines when the couple lived in Parker, Colo. She later married Robert Haynes and lived with him in Fortuna, Calif., Hoodsport, Wash., and Tumwater, Wash. In 2004, she re-met Ralph E. Hillier and they renewed a relationship from U of 0 days, which led to their marriage on Dec. 3, 2004. They have resided in Beaverton, Ore. during that marriage.

She is survived by her husband Ralph, her two sons, Mike and Mark, a daughter-in-law (Cindy), seven step-sons, two grandchildren (Anna and Will), 22 step-grandchildren and 23 step-great-grandchildren, as well as nephews, cousins and many friends. Her parents and sister Anita predeceased her.

The family wishes to acknowledge the compassionate care of the doctors, nurses and staff of Providence Medical Group, Providence Oncology and Hematology-Westside, the Oregon Clinic, and Providence Hospice.