Our Senior of the Month for May 2018, is Marilyn Millard Bandfield. Marilyn is part of the famous Millard family of Eagle Point. They are one of the oldest families in town and are comprised of Johnny, Marilyn, Bonnie, Hazel, Kenny, Dick, Nancy, Ruth, Wayne, Larry, Steve, and Gary. There are two other siblings who are deceased, Wes and David, making the family one of 14 original children! You will see that the Millard family is as work brittle as they are prolific!
Marilyn was born on Alta Vista Road on May 1, 1935, and graduated from Eagle Point High School in 1953. Her husband, Don, came to the marriage with one daughter after his wife was killed in a car accident. Don himself spent 3 months in the hospital after the accident and the children, who were standing up in the back seat were unscathed. Marilyn was married to Don for 40 years and together they had 6 children. After their first daughter was born, Marilyn had a miscarriage and was told that she would never be able to have more children. She fooled them. Seven years later, she began to have kids and proceeded to have a child a year for the next 5 years! Don served 2 years in Korea and was an over-the-road trucker for most of his life.
Even though Don was not home to help Marilyn raise her family, she worked outside the home. She was a telephone operator, she worked in the Williams Bakery for several years, and at a local sandwich shop/catering business. She worked at Harry and David for a while. After her cousin, from Canada, bought a local hardware store, she worked there as a bookkeeper doing secretarial and treasurer duties. Marilyn went to college at night, as well. Most of this was accomplished with that flock of kids at home. She began working as the secretary of her church and remained in that job for 22 years, just retiring last May.
The most interesting thing that happened to her included tickets to a Mariners game in Seattle that her cousin (hardware store) bought her in 2010. Her grandson, Donald, then 18 accompanied her. They got a hotel room that was about a mile from the stadium and had a beautiful view. They walked from the hotel to the game and got there just to discover that Donald had forgotten his ticket in the room. They walked back to get it and then walked back to the game and discovered that Marilyn had forgotten her ticket as well. Rather than make that trek again, they told the cashier what happened and she was able to make a duplicate. They watched the game and the Mariners lost. Donald bought her a hot dog and water and as they were walking to the hotel yet again, Marilyn passed out! She is not sure why perhaps anxiety as she had never flown before and was scared to death on the way up and probably dreading the trip home. She awoke to the face of a fireman and popped up claiming that she was fine! She has never flown again. Her two sons had to drive to Seattle to get her!
Marilyn tells me that her biggest obstacle was overcoming the stroke she suffered in 2010! It took her a year in physical therapy. The doctors told her another lie and said she would not walk again. She is walking and only has a bit of weakness in one leg. She is a determined lady!
Marilyn’s greatest accomplishment was raising that gaggle of kids to be good citizens and they are, each and every one! She lives by the golden rule and it has served her well. When I asked what she was looking forward to she said, “Heaven, I guess!” She is very happy that her sister, Nancy lives with her.
Marilyn wanted me to mention that she has 14 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 5 and a half great great grandchildren. As I say, the whole bunch is energetic and prolific! Marilyn was a joy to talk to.
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