Marilyn "Spook" Forbes Martin Thomas died December 18, 2023 at age 99, in Portland Oregon.

Marilyn, a left hander and a spunky Democrat, was born June 2, 1924, the youngest of three daughters, in Mason City Iowa to Col. Lowell Lyn Forbes and Mildred Lillian Miller Forbes. She received her BA degree in Economics from the University of Iowa where she joined Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Marilyn then worked as a secretary in Chicago where she said the dirty air soiled her petticoats. In October 1947 Marilyn married William Charles Martin at Ft Dix New Jersey. The couple then moved to Portland Oregon where Bill joined his uncle's law firm. Marilyn worked at an insurance company until her children were born. Ann was born in 1954 and Jim was born in 1957. Marilyn lived most of her life at 5634 SW Menefee Dr. in Portland.

Marilyn volunteered at the Portland Zoo nursery, as a Red Cross Gray Lady, as a Girl Scout leader, as room mother, and was a member of the Buoys and Gulls club of St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Portland. She enjoyed raising dogs-Ct. Jinks of the Horse Marines, Hildeguard, Schatzee, Krista, Hortense, Maude, Orphan Annie, and Willie, giving parties, driving, decorating, and traveling. She owned a second ranch home in Sisters Oregon. She hosted several foreign exchange students in her home.

After her divorce in 1979, Marilyn worked as a greeter in the President's Office at Lewis and Clark College for twelve years. Marilyn married John "Jack" Branerd Thomas in 1997. The couple lived in Pennsylvania for several years. Dr. Thomas died in 2000 and Marilyn returned to Portland.

Marilyn was cremated and will be buried on her 100th birthday at Oak Hill Cemetery , next to Dr. Thomas, in Monticello Iowa.

She is survived by two children: James Lowell Martin of Portland Oregon and Ann Martin Hovick of Longmont Colorado, Snickers the dog, three grandchildren: Meggan Martin Hovick Wehmeyer of Lyme New Hampshire, Lauren Lund Downes of Denver Colorado, Alex John Hovick of Longmont Colorado, and six great grandchildren: Kate Madison Wehmeyer, Lucas Ethan Wehmeyer, Caleb John Wehmeyer all of Lyme New Hampshire and Audrey Anne Downes, Caroline Lund Downes, Collin James Downes all of Denver Colorado.