Marilyn Jean (Schmidt) Naish's Obituary
Marilyn Jean (Schmidt) Naish August 9, 1935 ~ January 20, 2017
Marilyn Jean (Schmidt) Naish left this world January 20, 2017. She was born August 9th, 1935 to Robert and Annette Schmidt in Dawson, North Dakota. After graduating valedictorian in high school in 1953, Marilyn attended St. Alexius School of Nursing in 1956 where she graduated with honors, then attended summer courses at the University of Miami in 1957, to complete her certification as a Registered Nurse. In 1959, she moved to Oregon where she met Wesley Naish whom she later married on March 13, 1960. Together they had four children, Ruth, Bradley, Doug, and Nancy, and later had nine grandchildren.
Marilyn worked for Columbia County Public Health for 15 years before retiring in 1996. She was devoted to the First Lutheran Church in St. Helens where she sang in the choir for 35 years. She had many hobbies and passions in this world. Marilyn was interested in the welfare of all. She would volunteer at schools, was an active member with the band program, visited shut-in church members at nursing homes, and held baking sale fund raisers for charities and church. One of her favorite things to do was bake. Marilyn was always baking for friends and neighbors, participated in the Great American Bake Sale for three years, and baked for the Cancer Society and Amani Center for many years. She loved to knit and read with her grandchildren and children of the church, and love to write and receive letters. She loved poetry as well, and had many books of poetry in the house. Marilyn was also involved with Relay for Life and Race for the Cure for many years.
Marilyn is survived by her husband Wesley, children; Ruth, Bradley, Doug, and Nancy, one sister, one brother, and her nine grandchildren, and was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, and five sisters.
Services will be held Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 2:00pm at the St. Helens High School Auditorium, 2375 Gable Rd, St Helens, OR 97051.
In addition, or in lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Marilyn’s name to The American Cancer Society, Great American Bake Sale (www.greatamericanbakesale.org), Amani Center, or the First Lutheran Church.
Please sign our guest book at www.columbiafh.com
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