Marylyn Mcmahan

Marylyn McMahan ended her courageous battle with cancer December 27, 2019 at home surrounded by her family. She was born March 8, 1935 in Buena, Wa. to Delphis and Ruth (Sargent) St George. The family later moved to West Wapato where Marylyn attended Wapato Schools until her graduation in 1953. She maintained the friendships made there throughout her life, attending reunions and later, monthly luncheons. Marylyn married Richard McMahan on February 27, 1956. Following their elopement to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, they lived in Yakima while building their home in Wapato together. Marylyn was always involved in her daughters' lives and spent many years as a Blue Bird and Campfire Girls leader or assistant leader. She could often be found standing over their shoulders watching the progress of a 4-H sewing project or assisting in the production of cookies or jam for the fair. She was always up for a game of Scrabble. She loved cooking for family get-togethers, and it was often said it wasn’t Thanksgiving without Grandma’s rolls. She took pleasure in teaching a grandson her roll baking secrets. But her talents weren’t limited to the kitchen. She also knit beautiful sweaters, crocheted afghans for everyone in the family, and was accomplished at needlepoint. Marylyn loved to garden. Her rose garden in the front yard eventually blossomed into a showcase yard and a business. She was the driving force behind the creation and daily operations of McMahan Nursery from 1972 until 2019 and never considered it work. Marylyn is preceded in death by her parents, Delphis and Ruth St George, her sisters and brothers-in-laws Barbara and Emery Carvo, Virginia and Lester Calhoun, brothers David St George and Delmar St George. She is survived by her husband of sixty-three years, Richard McMahan, and three daughters; Cindy (Alvin) James of Yakima, Karen (Peter) Marsing of Spencer, Iowa, and Sharleen (Brett) Scott of Gleed, her nine grandchildren; Sarah McMahan (Matt Taylor), Jessica (Travis) Schlaman , Jason Marsing, Jennifer Johnson, Jill Johnson, Kyle Scott, Chloe James, Dana Scott, Raymond James, and five great grandchildren; Cynthia Umburger, Aiden Goodrich, Elliot Goodrich, Asha Schlaman, and Atlas Stastny. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Tena St George, Barbara Calhoun, and Janet McMahan. Special thanks to Dr. Rafael Santana-Davila and his staff at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Vivian Russell and Edna Andreas for their friendship and support, Jeff Bos who joined Marylyn’s care team in the last days and provided comfort and smiles, and granddaughter Sarah for her loving devotion to her grandmother’s care. Services will be held at Valley Hills Funeral Home Wapato Chapel (218 W. 3rd Street Wapato, WA 98951) on Saturday January 4, 2020. Viewing from 10:00am-12:00pm, Funeral Service at 12:00pm, followed by graveside service at Reservation Community Memorial Park. A reception follows at the family home on West Wapato Road. Memorial contributions may be made to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marylyn Mcmahan, please visit our flower store.