Marilyn Louise Windsor-Hales, 93

Marilyn Louise Windsor-Hales, 93, known as “the Candle Lady,” died August 6, 2017, 22 days short of her 94th birthday. She was born Aug. 28, 1923 in Everett, Mass.

She was attending MIT when Pearl Harbor was attacked. On her 20th birthday, she joined the U.S. Marine Corps to honor twin brothers who grew up across the street from her and were both killed in the USS Arizona. She was stationed first at the Pentagon, then in Hawaii. As an aviation technician, she often worked in the Hickam Air Field control tower. Most importantly, she worked nights de-coding messages from the troops in the Pacific. Every morning at 4 a.m. she delivered the decoded messages to senior officers so they could be kept abreast of the Pacific campaign. At Pearl, she made many friends and had many delightful experiences with her fellow Marines.

Marilyn attained the rank of sergeant and in January 1946 received an honorable discharge. She was very proud of her military service and loved the Marine Corps. She was a member of Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1110, in Sandpoint for years.

Returning to the Seattle area, she married Lincoln Hales. They had three children, Peter, Janell and John. She leaves six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Marilyn loved the outdoors. She related that she once hiked solo 300 miles above 8,000-foot elevation in Glacier National Park.

She made many candles and sold them at the farmers market to supplement her Social Security.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Marguerite Windsor; and her former husband, Lincoln Hales.

Her spirituality was love. She loved. She was loved. She will be missed.

A celebration of her life will be held Aug. 28, from 5-7:30 pm at the City Beach pavilion. Bring food and Marilyn stories for the potluck.

For more details, go to coffeltfuneral.com.