Marilyn Marie Turnbull

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother, Marilyn M. Turnbull.

She crossed over on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, of natural causes in the comfort of her home in

Hillsboro, Oregon. She was 96 years young.

Marilyn was born on February 28, 1930, in Astoria, Oregon. In 1936, her family moved to Forest

Grove, Oregon, where she attended kindergarten through her senior in high school. She then

attended college at Oregon State University from 1948-1952. She was a member of the Alpha

Gamma Delta sorority house, where she was president. Her soon-to-be "mother-in-law" was

the treasurer. Her son, David, would come and do odd jobs for the house, and she introduced

the two. The romance blossomed and they were married on December 27, 1952.

The two then moved to Vernonia, Oregon, where Marilyn taught high school French and was

the school librarian. In 1955, they then moved to Hillsboro, Oregon.

Marilyn began having children and stayed at home to nurture and raise all 5. While raising her

kids, she was very active in the schools they attended and the community they lived in.

She was PTA president at Brookwood Elementary, taught 4-H, canned, tended a large garden,

and helped top Christmas trees at their family-run farm in Forest Grove, Christmas Trees West.

In 1976, her dream of owning a bookstore came true. With the help of her family, she created

one of the best bookstores around, The Book Case. Her mother was the bookkeeper and her

children helped in all manners. Two of her daughters-in-law also worked with her. Her

bookstore started out on 3rd and Main Street in downtown Hillsboro. The new mall, the

Esplanade on TV Highway was built, and she made a move to a bigger store there. She owned

and operated the store till 2008(?) when she retired and sold the store.

Marilyn was a very active member of the Hillsboro community. She was a member of the First

United Methodist Church of Hillsboro, served as president and treasurer of the United

Methodist Women's Group. She was a life member of the Order of Eastern Star Forest Grove

Chapter 42 (Tualatin Chapter #3). She was an very active member of Chapter CT P.E.O.

In 1983-1984, she became the first woman to be the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce

president. She attained several achievement awards: Woman of Achievement by the United

States Jaycees - Emma McKinney Woman of Achievement Award, an Award by the Hillsboro

Chamber of Commerce for her contributions to the community- just to name a few. She was

also a founding member of the Hillsboro Meals on Wheels.

Marilyn's beloved husband, Dave Turnbull, of 70 years, passed in November of 2022. Her

parents, Les and Evelyn Smith, of Forest Grove, and a brother, Ronald Smith, of Albany, have

also passed.

She is survived by her children: Doug Turnbull of Forest Grove, Mark Turnbull of Willsonville,

Brian Turnbull of West Richland, WA., Karen Dials of Cornelius, and Paul Turnbull of Redmond.

She has 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of life memorial for Marilyn at the Hillsboro First United Methodist

Church on September 25, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions can be made to the P.E.O. Scholarship Foundation @ PEO

international.org