D. Marilyn (Hankins) Walter, Sanborn

We have lost a force to be reckoned with: Marilyn Sanborn.

D. Marilyn (Hankins) Walter, Sanborn, passed away peacefully on her birthday, August 5, 2026. Marilyn was born in 1932, to Everett Hankins and Eloise (Wells) Hankins at home in Milford, lowa, and grew up there alongside her younger brother, Stanton Hankins. In her teens, several family members left Milford and settled in Yakima, Washington. Marilyn's family soon followed. She graduated from Yakima High School, now Davis High School.

When Marilyn moved to Yakima, she left behind her high school sweetheart, Jack Walter, in Milford. After his graduation, Jack followed her to Yakima, where the two were married. Two daughters were born to their union: Diane and Lisa. As a stay-at-home mom, Marilyn devoted herself to her home and filled her yard with irises, petunias, roses, and geraniums.

She enjoyed bowling, dancing at the Eagles, and playing cards. Her favorite was bridge, and she shared this passion with the same group of ladies for over 40 years. She also bred Shih Tzu dogs for over a decade. She was a member of the Yakima Kennel Club. Marilyn's favorite holiday was Christmas, filling every nook and cranny with decorations in the house, even changing out the soaps in the bathrooms to Christmas figurines and the shower curtain to red and green. Jack and Marilyn divorced in the mid 70'S.

Marilyn married Herbert Sanborn in the late 70's, and she entered the workforce about this time. She worked at Ferguson's Carriage House and later The Bon Marche. Marilyn retired in 1994, also becoming a Grandma that same year. Marilyn cherished being a grandma and a great-grandma.

Marilyn will live on in the hearts of her family and friends who miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Eloise Hankins; her husband Herbert Sanborn, her brother, Stanton Hankins; her sister-in-law, Ann Hankins,son-in-law Gary L. Doman; and her dear companion, Gene Gunkel. Marilyn is survived by her daughters, Diane Gaudette-Doman (Steve Avila), Lisa Bender (Ken), her grandsons, Tyson Bender and Brian Bender (Jessica), her great-grandchildren, Bristol Bender, Bryson Bender, and Brielle Bender; a nephew, two nieces, her dear friends Peggy McClure, Cindy Redding, Sharon Stiles and Margie Hildre; and her loyal fur companion, Teddy.

A celebration of life will be held Monday, September 28". 11:00 A.M. at Keith and Keith in Terrace Heights Memorial Center. After the Celebration of life there will be a graveside service. Keith and Keith is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at keithandkeith.com.