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Marylou Wicklund, 93, was born Oct. 6, 1926 in Minot, North Dakota to Robert (Ken) and Mary Richards. She passed away peacefully at her home in Shelter Bay, Jan. 24, 2020.

She was an amazing woman who led by example and was the epitome of what a real woman should be. She lived a full and happy life, raised her children, saw all of her grandchildren reach adulthood and had great grandchildren.

Marylou moved with her parents to Everett, Washington when she was 16 and graduated from Everett High School.

She married Robert (Bob) Graff and had four children, whom they raised in Everett. When they retired they moved to Shelter Bay where he managed the community until he passed.

She then married Roy Wicklund and they moved to Everett. After he passed away in 2011 she returned to Shelter Bay to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Ken Vest. Marylou lived happily there. Her life was enlivened when granddaughter Selena Ruiz joined the household 18 months ago. Selena and great-grandma spent many hours playing, reading and napping together.

In her early years Marylou enjoyed boating in the northwest, bowling, reading and playing Bridge. For many years she spent her winters in Palm Springs, CA.

She loved to play cards, including Bridge and duplicate Bridge. She had won several awards for her Bridge playing and was a Master Bridge player. She loved spending time with her family and good friends. Traveling, she went on over sixty cruise ship adventures.

Marylou is survived by her children: Cindy (Ken) Vest of Shelter Bay; Alan Graff of Lake Stevens; Robyn (Harold) Sweeney of Lake Havasu, AZ; and Brad (Lisa) Graff of Freeland; six grandchildren, Andrea Hardeland, Alyssa Pries, Brian Ruiz, Eric Ruiz, Bob Graff and Bryce Graff, three great grandchildren with one on the way.

A private family celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

The family would like to say thank you to Hospice NW for their compassion and caring.

Memorials in memory of Marylou may be made to Hospice NW in Mount Vernon.

Arrangements were under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon.