Marilyn June Broom's Obituary
Marilyn June Broom, aged 99, passed away peacefully, February 24, 2024 in Tumwater, WA where she lived, close to family.
Marilyn was born June 24,1924, in Barnesville, Minnesota to John and Victoria Atkins. She was the middle of three daughters. Her older sister, Lois (Beringer), and her younger sister, Joyce (Tschudin) both who preceded her in death.
The family moved to Washington in 1930. Marilyn graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma in 1942. After graduation she worked for West Coast Grocery, in the Alaska Department and then for Tacoma Parks Department in the Recreation Commission.
In 1945, she caught the eye of Henry Charles Broom, while ice skating at the Steilacoom Ice Rink in Lakewood. They began dating, and enjoyed skating, and dancing at many local dance clubs in the Seattle/Tacoma area. Dancing remained a passion throughout their lives. On April 20, 1947, they were married in a double wedding with Marilyn’s older sister Lois and fiancé, Charles Beringer. Over the years, both couples celebrated 57+ anniversaries together.
Hank and Marilyn bought a large piece of property on south “A” street in Tacoma and began building a family home. They were blessed with two children Jeffery (1950) and Marcia (1952). Marilyn retired from the workforce and became a very busy housewife and mother. Although they lived briefly in Washington DC for 6 months, and Boise, Idaho for 2 1/2 years, they always came back to their original home on “A” street. It became the gathering spot for all family members during holidays and special events. Once they hosted 28 family members and friends to a sit down Thanksgiving dinner! Marilyn was the true matriarch of the family.
As Jeff and Marcia grew up, the family went to local ski areas, campgrounds, and took many family vacations. The family was very busy with church, scouts, and school activities. Marilyn was involved in all of them. Both Hank and Marilyn also belonged to dance clubs, bridge groups, dinner clubs, and enjoyed golf, skiing, and many other social groups.
Hank retired from the USGS in 1974, after Jeff and Marcia graduated from WSU (Henry’s alma mater too). Thus began the couple’s next chapter.
They traveled to Hawaii, toured the US in their motor home, went to Europe and England and even took a cruise through the Panama Canal. Their love ended up being in Arizona where they became “snowbirds” for 30+ years. They also bought a timeshare to the Cabo San Lucas area of Mexico which the family has enjoyed for 25 years.
During this time, Jeff and Marcia started their families, and ‘Gramma’ and ‘Grampa’ had 5 grandkids. Stacy, Jenifer, Jonathan, Bryan and Joel. They brought much love, laughter and memories into their lives.
Marilyn lost her beloved Hank in January, 2005. God had a way of filling the emptiness with 12 great-grandchildren over the next years! Fortunately, Marilyn was able to know and love each and every one of them. She became their beloved GG! She remained in her home for 10 years after Hank’s death, until the upkeep got to be too much. She loved working in her yard and her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens. Hosting family gatherings was her favorite thing. She loved her family so much.
She moved into a two-bedroom apartment at Tahoma Terrace, in 2015. She remained active in her bridge clubs, and social groups. She continued to go to Cabo into her mid 90’s. In 2019 she started to use a 4 wheeled walker to get around more easily, and AMD slowly took her vision. Through it all she remained active, vibrant, and faithful. In January 2023 Marilyn moved to a lovely Assisted Living Home in Tumwater, to be closer to her daughter, Marcia, and her family. She lived there 14 months until she went to live in the house of our Lord – forever!
Marilyn is survived by Jeff Broom (Debbie), Marcia Keister (Jason), Stacy Donaldson (Phil, Sophia, Phinley) Jenifer Johnson (Michael, Jax) Jon Broom (Riley, Gage) Bryan Keister (Sarah, Alex, Landyn, Westyn) Joel Broom (Ali, Justus, Titus, Levi, Calvin) and many extended family and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Marilyn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Marilyn?
Share a story where Marilyn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Marilyn you’ll never forget.
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