Marilyn Mastor

May 19, 1933 - Feb. 3, 2025

Bellingham, Washington – Marilyn Louise Mastor (née Benedict), 91, now continuing her gracious and fully-engaged journey, moved peacefully from this life to the next on Monday, February 3, 2025, after a brief disagreement with cancer. Marilyn was an amazing human being with an indomitable spirit, a thirst for knowledge (read!), an ever- curious mind, and a true sense of style, then add to that a caring, kind, and loving heart. Marilyn was born in Long Beach, California, on May 19, 1933, to Clarice Allison Benedict (née Fisher) and Floyd Milan Benedict. Born while the young couple were down in California looking for work during the depression, the growing family was soon joined by brother Gary, then moved back to Bellingham, Washington, where sister Susan was born. Marilyn attended Columbia Elementary School, Whatcom Junior High School, Bellingham High School, Whatcom Community College and Western Washington University (WWU). The Benedict family resided on Utter Street in the Columbia neighborhood within yards of Elizabeth Park, and both sets of grandparents (and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins). A work ethic began early in those depression years, and Marilyn picked berries and beans to buy school clothes, while brother Gary had a paper route. This work ethic was lifelong, and Marilyn's energy, stamina and perseverance were truly remarkable. The Columbia neighborhood was a wonderful place to grow up, and nearby Elizabeth Park was a haven for kids playing Capture the Flag or Red Rover, while the alleys were perfect for bike races, kick the can, and hide 'n seek. She married Ted Mastor in 1954, and began her own family: children Mark, Lisa, Leslie and Eric. While raising three kids, she briefly owned a beauty salon (The Venus Touch), and for over ten years ran the day-to-day operations of a family-owned, seventeen-unit, apartment building. The marriage ended in 1982, and Marilyn began the next chapter of her life. Always one for self-improvement, Marilyn had gone back to school, obtained an Associate of Arts degree from Whatcom Community College, and then a bachelor's degree from WWU in Interior Space Design (a self-designed major). After college graduation in 1980, Marilyn became a respected designer, creating her own business, Mastor Design, and running it successfully for 32 years. Marilyn offered a unique talent: incorporating into the architectural plans of a client’s home, her singular style, amazing color sense, and personal design elements. She enjoyed her work very much, yet also had a very active family, friend and social life. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents Clarice and Floyd, stepfathers Dewey Keehn and Clarence Haynes, her brother Gary Benedict, her son-in-law Gregg Reynolds and her young son Mark, whom she dearly missed for sixty-three years. She is survived by her dear sister Susan Sandell (Deane), her daughters Lisa Reynolds and Leslie Lindberg (Tom), her son Eric, her adored and much cherished grandchildren Adam, Ashley, Jessica (Lee), Lauren (Mac), Garrett, and her precious great-grandchildren, Charlie, Maggie, and Ellis and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. She also leaves behind her much-loved cat Oliver. Marilyn was an avid gardener, a devourer of books (hi Bookies), a wonderful neighbor for 71 years, and she loved her twice-daily walks in the park. Marilyn’s energy, style, creativity and enthusiasm extended in many directions, and she gave freely to her community, her family and her many dear friends. Some examples are: Mount Baker Theater restoration, Bellingham Public Library Board, Bellingham Rotary Club and many other worthy civic projects. Marilyn was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bellingham, serving in many capacities during her life including vestry and the flower guild. She also lent her design and color talents to the church after a flood in the church addition caused major damage. There is no way to encompass all the details of a life so well and fully lived, yet Marilyn's character and soul continues on within the memories of all who met her and by all who loved her. Think of Marilyn whenever you feed the birds, walk in the park, dress up for Halloween, help the needy, attend a concert, read, vote, savor nature, and perhaps, a good glass of wine. Marilyn was soothed and comforted during her last weeks by the exceptional staff at Whatcom Hospice House (Thank you!). A memorial service will be held at 2pm, on March 29, 2025, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 2117 Walnut Street, Bellingham, WA 98225. *In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Fred Hutch Cancer Center at fredhutch.org/donate in memory of Marilyn Mastor. Or please consider donating to any or all of her favorite charities (in no particular order): Whatcom Land Trust, National Resources Defense Council, Salvation Army, The Humane Farming Assoc., National Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, Jane Goodall Institute, Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund, March of Dimes, Bellingham Food Bank, American Diabetes Assoc., Wilderness Society, Whatcom Hospice Foundation and the Whatcom Humane Society