Marilyn Lee White, 78

Marilyn Lee White passed away Friday, July 30, 2010, at Samaritan Albany General Hospital, after a sudden illness, with family and friends at her side. Marilyn was born Aug. 12, 1931, in Oberlin, Kan., to Sidney Hess and Olive (Morrissette) Hess. Marilyn attended grade school in Kansas until moving with her family to Albany, Ore., in the early 1940s, where she completed her education. In 1947, Marilyn married Lee Sitton; they were later divorced. Together Marilyn and Lee had three sons, Don, Ron, and Rick. While living in Oregon, Marilyn worked as a practical nurse for many years at Albany General Hospital and Lebanon Community Hospital. Following her marriage to Les White on Sept. 4, 1970, she relocated to Kalispell, where she managed the office of her husband s dental practice for more than 30 years. In her new marriage, Marilyn adopted and raised her husband s youngest daughter, Carolyn. In 1984, Les and Marilyn met Tony (deceased) and Doris Pang, who owned and operated the Ho Wun Restaurant in Kalispell for 19 years, and their three sons, Calvin, Derek, and Ethan, who were first friends and are now family. Mrs. White had a lifelong interest in children, the elderly, and animals. While living in Kalispell, she served eight years as a member of the District Five school board. She also was the director of the Flathead County Animal Shelter for many years. Following their retirement, the couple re-located to Albany in 1997. Mrs. White was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Les; brother, Gayle Hess; aunt, Bonnie Morrissette; sons, Don Sitton and Bernice, of Ogden, Utah; Ron Sitton and Diane, of Aloha, Ore., and Rick Sitton and Susan, of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; daughter, Dr. Carolyn White and Woody, of Charlotte, N.C.; and stepchildren, Leslie Hopkins and Dan, of Poulsbo, Wash., and Stephen White and Gloria, of Sao Paulo, Brazil; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Safe-Haven Humane Society, P.O. Box 2018, Albany, Ore. 97321-2018.