Marilyn R. Fiscus
December 28, 1940 – September 23, 2022

Wife, mom, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to so many, Marilyn had a heart large enough to hold her innumerable extended family. Her impact on our lives was huge, her wisdom imparted knowledge, her strength taught courage, her curiosity led us down many paths and her love was unending and fed our souls. From her we learned that life wasn’t to be endured, it was an adventure to be lived. Born December 28, 1940 to Heaston (“Hezzie”) and Imogene Strahan. Marilyn was born in Oregon City and at the age of 2 moved to Salem/Keizer. Her family returned to Oregon City during her high school years. In 1958 she met and married Donald Lancaster and they had 3 children, Jeffrey Ray, Marcy Lee and Gary Wayne. In 1972, she moved her family to Culver where she worked at Seaswirl Boats as a seamstress. She met Melvin Fiscus, the love of her life, that same year. They were married in Reno Nevada on November 26, 1973. Together they raised kids, counseled family, and traveled to places they dreamed of seeing. She was particularly proud of the fact she had gone back to school to be able to get her high school
diploma. She graduated from Culver High School with her son Jeff in 1977. She worked as a bartender for many years and owned her own upholstery business. She loved to sew and crochet. Marilyn enjoyed all things antique and encouraged us to remember the history surrounding the things in our lives and to appreciate what we had. Ultimately, together, She and Melvin found joy in volunteering at the WAAAM in Hood River, Oregon and being members at the Steam Up in Brooks, Oregon, both places that fueled her love of antique cars
and airplanes. Untamed, hilarious, indomitable, Mom, teacher, and mighty, are just a few of the words used to describe Marilyn in the last hours of her life. She defied simple description.
Marilyn is survived by Melvin, her husband of 49 years, a brother, Lee, sons Jeff and Gary and his wife Lynette, a daughter Marcy and her husband Richard and Brian and his wife Sheila. Her grandchildren are, JD (Jeff), Amy, Penny and Malcolm (Marcy), Holly, Austin, Rachel, Lauryn and Gawyne (Gary), and her Great Grandchildren Max, Cora Ann, Alyviah (Pnutt), Morgan and Wyatt. Her family also consisted of her sisters in law Jeanette and Susan, many nieces, nephews, and “borrowed” children. Also, a daughter by choice, Chiaki, in Japan, the neighbor
kids Roseanne and Jim, plus too many others to name. She cherished family above all. Her love will be cherished and held close by us all.
Please join the family in a celebration of her life Saturday, October 8th at 1:00 pm, at Mel and Marilyn’s home. We will be giving Marilyn her last Model T ride. Lunch will be served at 1:45 pm, bring a side dish if you like. In lieu of flowers the family asks to make a donation to WAAAM in her honor.