Marilyn Heilman Obituary (2023)

Marilyn Connelly Heilman, 81, of Yakima, Washington, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2023, at Cottage in the Meadow. She was born in Mason City, Washington, on September 6, 1942, to Darold and Lucille Zahler. In 1961, Marilyn graduated from Eisenhower High School, and married Stan Connelly. They enjoyed 52 years together, raising three daughters, and adoring adventures with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Marilyn loved watching Stan race at Yakima Speedway and many other tracks. She also cherished her time attending car shows in the 1941 Ford business coupe that Stan built for her. Marilyn married Paul Heilman in 2014. They had a mutual passion for travel and enjoyed visiting family, monuments, and various attractions across the country. In 2018, Paul passed away on their way home from what would be their last endeavor. Marilyn will be remembered for her meticulously decorated homes, beautiful flower gardens and getting her family together. Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents, second husband, brothers, Rodney and Darold Jr., sister, Linda, nephew, Chad, and grandson, Daniel. She is survived by her first husband, Stan Connelly, a brother, Ray Zahler, her daughters, Michele Connelly, Lisa (Steve) Baird, and Melissa Connelly, all of Yakima, grandchildren, Jessica (Mike) McCay, Ashley (Aaron) Nelson, Shelby (Tanner) Broom, Steven (Mara) Baird, Sawyer (Christina) Baird, Lane (Brittney) Baird, Macey (Tyler) Beecher, and her great-grandchildren, Emilee, Hayden, Alyssa, Callie, Paisley, Cole, Easton, Parker, River, Steven, Trevor, Wyatt, Gatlin, Greyson, and McKenzie. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Rachel Macias, at Memorial Hospital, for taking such good care of our mother, and the staff at Cottage in the Meadow, for their kindness and support. Marilyn will be laid to rest at West Hills Memorial Park. Shaw & Sons Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shawandsons.com.