Marilyn M. Dillsi, a decades long resident of Pullman, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 15, 2026 at the age of 90. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend with a wonderful sense of humor, who loved to tease and bring a smile or laugh to any situation.

The middle of three daughters, Marilyn was born on November 17, 1935 in Portland, Oregon, and grew up in the verdant beauty of the Columbia River Gorge. As a youth she enjoyed exploring the lake behind her house in North Bonneville, WA, riding her horse through the forests, train hopping to nearby Stevenson and picking huckleberries while wandering throughout the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

After graduating from Stevenson High School, class of 1954, she left home to attend Washington State University in Pullman to study anthropology, graduating in 1959 with a BS in Sociology. At WSU she met and later married Mahmoud Dillsi of Safad, Palestine, with whom she shares five children.

They lived briefly in Tripoli, Libya, Seattle, and Stockton, California, before moving to Texas in 1969. College Station and San Antonio were both home, before missing the mountains and her family, they returned to the Pacific Northwest in 1973, settling on ten acres near Battle Ground, WA to raise their family. Marilyn worked for a local business college and newspaper, before deciding to return to Pullman in 1988 to pursue her Master’s Degree after divorcing.

She made many friends and deep connections as she worked toward her Masters of Adult and Continuing Education at Washington State, completing her degree in 1991. A devoted and ever enthusiastic COUG, she remained in Pullman and had a long career working for the University as administrative support in a number of departments, including Education, Plant Pathology, Business and Music. Marilyn enjoyed attending the symphony and developed an appreciation for Jazz before retiring from the Music Department in 2007. Along the way, with her warm and engaging personality, she made friends throughout her career and always had a seat at her table for students who couldn’t make it home for a holiday.

Her adventurous spirit and love for other cultures took her many places in her life, including Libya, Egypt, Syria, Italy, Thailand, Cambodia, and Mexico. She brought back wonderful stories and more friends after spending a summer in Beijing, China teaching English.

She would tell anyone who listened about the green and golden beauty of the Palouse and her treasured Pacific Northwest. She loved camping with family during her summers, annual Easter trips camping at Banks Lake, spending time with her sisters at the family beach house, teasing her deeply loved grandchildren, reading, crafting beautiful creations, visiting with her coffee group and always cheering on her mighty WSU Cougars.

Marilyn is survived by her four children, Tarik (Batool) Dillsi of Richland, Samia (Brad) Dillsi of Portland, Laila Dillsi of Ft. Collins, CO and Lameece Dillsi of Pullman; her partner in crime and sister Marcia Summers of Wenatchee; seven cherished grandchildren; five nieces and nephews; and ex-husband Mahmoud Dillsi. She was preceded in death by daughter Nadia Dillsi; parents Troy and Ellen Mansfield; and sister Marjorie Miller.

Marilyn has been cremated and her ashes will be interred in a niche wall with a view of the rolling Palouse hills at Pullman Cemetery. A Celebration of a Life well lived will be held May 3, 2026, from 1:00pm-4pm in the Crimson and Gray Room at the Residence Inn Pullman, WA. In lieu of flowers, you may consider donating in memory of Marilyn Dillsi to a WSU scholarship fund. Online condolences may be sent to www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com

In lieu of flowers, you may consider donating in memory of Marilyn Dillsi to the WSU Anthropology scholarship fund. You may do so at the following LINK: bit.ly/wsu-anthropology