Marilee Lybbert Binns

June 29, 1936 - June 5, 2015

Succumbed to cancer

Marilee was born in Vernal, Utah to Jacob Norman Lybbert and Orva Luella Eaton Lybbert. She played the piano by ear from age 3 on. By her account, she had an idyllic childhood with her family on their farm where they grew their own food and raised cows, chickens and horses.

After her father retired from teaching school in Vernal, in 1945, he ventured out to a new career and became a farmer in Moses Lake, Washington, so at the age of nine Marilee moved there with her family. Continuing to magnify her musical gift and calling, she became a highly accomplished pianist and organist. She played the piano and organ for school, church, weddings and family functions. She was the accompanist of first choice for nearly every soloist in Grant County, and well beyond.

She was also a dutiful daughter, helping her mother and father with the many chores of farming and homemaking. She took great pleasure in having her mother say "Marilee, you did that every bit as well as I would have done it."

Marilee was a lovely young girl who enjoyed going to dances, acting in plays, singing in a trio, cheerleading, and playing the piano.

She met Terry Binns at Moses Lake High School. They played opposite each other in one of their high school plays, began dating and fell in love. They were wed January 14, 1956. They were happily married for 42 years, and had five children: Tarilee, Kay and Glade (twins) and Kameron Binns, and Rondilyn Mann (T. Kelly Mann). They had four grandchildren, Parker Mann, Marshall Mann, Rhiannon Mann and Michael Binns. This spring Marilee welcomed her first great grandchild, Cooper Lee Binns, and recently was able to hold him in her arms.

In her late twenties, after some marital struggles, Marilee became fascinated to learn what it would take to have a strong marriage, and began researching all that was necessary to do so. This resulted in her authoring a 40-hour seminar called Commitment Seminars, and co-authoring a book: "You Can Have a Happy Marriage." In her later years she continued working on a program called Parenting for Goodness Sake. Writing and producing helpful books, and beautiful, positive, original music - those were her passions. She remained a strong-willed woman, encouraging all women to be independent and proactive in taking charge of their own lives and engaging fully in their marriages.

Marilee was preceded in death by her son Kay (1978) and her husband Terry (1998). She is survived by two brothers: Forest (Betty) Lybbert and Kay (Carolyn) Lybbert, and one sister Joyce Lee Gandenberg - and by many nieces, nephews and cousins that are all very dear to her.

Marilee was an excellent mother, seamstress, author, composer, and musician. She did her very best to leave the world a better place than she found it. She was a remarkable, beautiful woman who will never be forgotten and will always be loved and dearly missed.