MARILYN SUE RICHEY ~ Class of 1953
December 30, 1934 - March 21, 2004







Marilyn Sue Richey, age 69, passed away peacefully at the Tri-Cities Hospice House on Sunday March 21, 2004. Marilyn was born December 30, 1934 in Harlingen, Texas to Russell D. Richey and Lucille Aldridge Richey.

She moved to Richland in January of 1945 with her family at the age of 11. Marilyn attended Columbia High School and graduated with the class of 1953 and remained an AVID Bomber fan! Marilyn attended college locally at CBC and then went on to attend Central Washington State College, in Ellensburg, WA where she graduated with a BA in June of 1967.

Marilyn never married or had any children (human that is) but did have several pets that she treated like her children. Her pets were very important to her, and were a lot of company for her over her life. Marilyn has always been surrounded by either her loving family and or some of her many, many close friends.

Marilyn devoted her life works to a career working with the mentally disabled. Marilyn had a gift for this work and enjoyed it very much. Her belief was that all people deserve a fair shake in life and should be treated with respect, and taught to be the best that they could be. I am sure that she made a difference in many lives. I know that she did in one young man's life in particular, and that was her very good friend Freddy Gaddy of Las Vegas, who by the way is the original person who nicknamed her "MIM", which she is now known by, to her close family. Freddy did, and I am sure that he always will, think the world of MIM, as she did him.

Marilyn moved around with her job living in Nevada, Utah and a few cities in Oregon. She retired from her job at the Oregon State Hospital in Pendleton Oregon, and then moved back to her home town of Richland. She has enjoyed being home with her family and friends for the last few years of her life.

Over her life Marilyn has enjoyed Sports very much, both playing and as a spectator. She played Basketball and Fast pitch Softball and is known by many for her exceptional pitching ability. Marilyn was a very social person yielding many friends. In her teens she worked at By's Burgers and Tastee Freeze where she was famous for her awesome "Sweeney Burgers". She loved to visit and reminisce about her life and had the memory of an elephant. Going out of the house with her was like a reunion everywhere she went. Marilyn had a great sense of humor and a great attitude, even when things looked grim. Mim was very generous and had a huge heart. She will be deeply missed by many! Mim, we all know that you are out of pain and in a wonderful place with God, Grammy, Dad, Donald and your Grandpa, and at peace now! Enjoy yourself, and don't forget to save those spots for us!

She is survived by many members of her loving family, her dog "Spider", her Niece, Jill Richey Bruun and husband Mike, and their children Brooke Bruun Cannon and husband Charlie and their to-be-daughter Chloe all of Pasco, Brittany, Blake and Breanna Bruun all of Richland; nephew, Scott Richey and wife Gina and daughters Delaney and Shaylee Richey of Richland; niece, Connie Richey Eshleman and husband David and their children Jordan and Lindsay Eshleman all of Saratoga, CA.; nephew, Ron Richey and wife Carol and son Edwin of Orcas Island, WA; niece, Kim Richey Dykeman and husband Randy of Richland and their daughter Melissa and husband Kevin and children Justin and Hayley of Pasco and son, Brian Dykeman and wife Erica; nephews, Mike and Marc Richey of Richland; sister-in-laws, Beverley Richey Raffety, Alice Richey and Ruth Richey, along with many very devoted, helpful and very close and dear friends.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her father Russell D. Richey, her mother Lucille Aldridge Richey and both of her brothers Alan D. Richey ('49) and Donald R. Richey ('47).

Visitation was at Einan’s Funeral Home on Tuesday March 23 from 5-8pm. Graveside service: Wednesday, March 24 at 4:00pm at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland with a memorial service following at 5:00pm at the Westside Church in Richland.