Marlene Kay Blish, 72

July 15, 1948 — April 3, 2021

Marlene Kay Blish, 72, passed away unexpectedly at Kootenai Health on April 3, 2021, surrounded by the love of her husband, her daughter and her son-in-law.

Marlene was born July 15, 1948, in Everett, Wash., to Bill Roberts and Arlene (Roberts-Stone) Berry. Marlene’s mother worked three jobs in order to help support her family and Marlene helped her mother often, setting her alarm for 2 a.m. so she could pick her mom up from work each morning. Being only 15 at the time, this was quite a dedicated act on Marlene’s part, and evidence of the work ethics and caring ways that defined her character throughout her 72 years of life.

Marlene’s giving spirit and loving nature drew people to her and she loved making people smile. She lit up a room with her presence, so it’s no wonder she found a calling working for the Head Start Children’s Program in Everett as a high school student.

When Marlene was 15, she met the man she would fall in love with and would eventually marry, Douglas Blish. They forged a lasting bond and shared a marriage of passion, devotion and unconditional love. If ever a marriage could be called true love, it was theirs and they had that gift of marriage for 55 beautiful years. Marlene and Doug brought two daughters into the world and raised their youngest, Kimberly Blish-Hill, with their combined love and zest for life, taking their daughter everywhere with them, even on an occasional anniversary date.

In 1971, Marlene, Doug and Kim moved to Idaho with Doug’s parents, Clyde and Norma Blish, and helped them build their dream home at Twin Lakes. Marlene and her little family lived in a tent for the summer during the building process, then rented a cabin at Twin Lakes. The family eventually settled in Spirit Lake, Idaho. Through Doug’s continual hard work at his various occupations, Marlene was able to fulfill her dream of being a stay-at-home mom until her daughter graduated from high school in 1987.

In that same year, 1987, Marlene decided to try her hand at volunteering for the Spirit Lake Ambulance with her sister-in-law Vicky and two nephews, Todd and Chip Moran. She studied tirelessly for six months to earn her EMT certification and volunteered for the Spirit Lake Ambulance for three years, giving back to the community of Spirit Lake that she called home for 42 years.

In 1989, Marlene switched careers and joined the Transportation Department of Lakeland School District. She drove a school bus for Garwood Elementary for 10 years and took such pride in being a Garwood Grizzly. She loved her job, her friends at work and especially the students. In 1999, she was recognized and honored by then Superintendent Chuck Kinsey for her “exceptional actions” in quickly and calmly evacuating the students on her school bus when the engine compartment of her bus burst into flames. Mr Kinsey stated in a memo for Marlene’s personnel file: “She calmly evacuated her students, radioed her situation and then proceeded to bring the fire under control.” Her heroism and quick thinking that day saved many young lives.

In 1999, Marlene took a step back from her career and began caring for her grandchildren so her daughter Kim could take a position as a teacher’s aide at Spirit Lake Elementary School, and so her life was brought full circle, bringing her back to full-time homemaker, caregiver and nurturer.

Marlene’s greatest joy was her family and she loved spending time with her best friend and husband Doug. The two were inseparable. Doug was able to retire from his career at Verizon at 57 years of age and the couple spent all of their time together, camping at their river property, exploring backroads or simply enjoying each other's company.

Marlene loved tailgate picnics, road trips, mushroom hunting, barbecues at home and dancing in her living room with her life partner, Doug. She loved laughing, having a cold one in the evening and enjoyed the simple things in life. She loved her multitude of outdoor creatures: the birds, squirrels, even the crows and tended to those and her plants and garden as lovingly as she did her family and friends.

Marlene’s loving spirit will shine through in the living legacy she left in her family. Her joy of life, sense of humor and outgoing nature drew many people to her, as evidenced by the many friends she made throughout her life.

Marlene is preceded in death by her parents and her only siblings, sisters Myra Moran and "Cookie" Myrna Moran.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Doug Blish; daughters Kelly Blish, Kim Hill and son-in-law Andy Hill; grandchildren Megan Overland Hill and Drew Hill; and great-grandchildren Everly Overland, and Mia and Rosey Hill; as well as her beloved nieces and nephews, in-laws and numerous friends.

Marlene will be laid to rest in Spirit Lake at the Greenwood Cemetery with her family in attendance for a graveside service. A celebration of life will take place this summer at the family’s river property, to be announced at a later date.

Words cannot express how deeply Marlene will be missed and always loved, for she was the matriarch and center of her little families’ lives, however, Marlene’s light, her bright smile, loving nature and charm will forever be remembered.