Marilyn Joyce Carpenter, 83, of Missoula, Montana, passed away May 21, 2015, at St Patrick Hospital. Marilyn was born July 3, 1931, in Inglewood, California, to John and Margaret Robertson. She was raised in San Marino, attending school there and graduating from South Pasadena-San Marino High School in 1949. She attended the University of California at Santa Barbara, Pasadena City College, and the Sawyer School of Business.

She married Charles Clay, Jr in 1953 and they were divorced in 1970. They had three children, Deborah Ann, Robert William, and Ellen Margaret. In 1969, she came to Hamilton, Montana to start a new life. She owned and operated Valley Christian Supplies in Hamilton for six years. In 1980 she married Lyman Carpenter and they enjoyed 26 years of marriage before his death in 2006. Marilyn committed her life to Jesus Christ at the age of 33. She and Lyman both were members of the Assembly of God Church in Hamilton for many years, until they moved to The Springs in Missoula to be close to their family. She later joined the Christian Life Center in Missoula.

Survivors include a son, Robert (Carrie) of Missoula; daughters, Debbie (Larry) Johanesen of Newport, Oregon, and Ellen (Joel) Purkerson of Corvallis, Oregon; two step-children; 16 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Missoulian, May 27, 2015