EVERETT—Marilyn Jean Quincy, a revered figure in Snohomish County known for her tireless advocacy for Black American heritage and community equality, passed away on June 4, 2025, at the age of 81. Her funeral, held on June 26, 2025, at New Life Everett Church, drew a diverse crowd of mourners, including community leaders, activists, and residents, who gathered to celebrate her profound impact on the region.
“Now, therefore, I, Dave Somers, Snohomish County Executive, do hereby proclaim June 26, 2025, as Marilyn Jean Quincy Day in Snohomish County,” Wil Johnson, Snohomish County’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer, announced in a proclamation honoring the legacy and contributions of Quincy to the residents of the county. “I encourage all residents, visitors, and businesses to join in remembering and honoring Marilyn’s inspiring service to our community.”
Dy Shauntic Monet Bletson, Secretary of Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee, then read a Proclamation on behalf of the City of Everett and signed by Mayor Cassie Franklin, that recognized Quincy’s efforts in championing the Everett Public Library to establish a dedicated Black history collection “ensuring that local Black heritage is actively documented, preserved, and accessible to all.”
Additional proclamations honoring Quincy were read on behalf of the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee and the First African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Born in 1944 in Everett, Washington, Marilyn Quincy was a descendant of one of Snohomish County’s earliest Black families, with her great-grandfather, William P. Stewart, a Civil War veteran for whom a highway in Everett is named. Her deep roots in the area shaped her lifelong commitment to preserving and promoting African American history. After graduating from Everett High School, Quincy faced significant racial barriers in the job market. She worked briefly in a nursing home before enrolling at Everett Community College to study nutrition, with aspirations of becoming a dietician. Despite being denied a hospital job due to her race, she persevered, later working at Boeing and as a cashier at Safeway, where she was reportedly the first Black cashier in the region.
Marilyn Quincy’s career spanned 36 years at the Washington State Employment Security Department, where her dedication earned her recognition through House Resolution 4649 in 2007, introduced by then-Representative John Lovick. She also served 15 years as a commissioner for the Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO), leading to the renaming of Westwood Crossing Apartments in Marysville as the Marilyn Quincy Community Center in her honor.
As founder of the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee, Marilyn was instrumental in establishing the Nubian Jam Festival, a decades-long celebration of African American culture in Everett. Her leadership extended to roles with the NAACP and church missions, including Habitat for Humanity projects in Mississippi and aid efforts post-Hurricane Katrina. In 2023, she received the inaugural Marilyn Quincy Award at the committee’s Red and White Banquet, where she spoke proudly of her family’s legacy, saying, “I am so proud to look out here and see all those people part of the legacy of Snohomish County and are carrying on.”
Marilyn’s funeral service, officiated by Reverand Dr. Doris Cope, was a vibrant tribute to her life. State Senator John Lovick (D-Mill Creek) delivered a celebration of Quincy’s legacy and earthly journey to God.
Reverend Spencer Barrett’s eulogy for Marilyn Quincy celebrated her vibrant faith and community impact. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 5, Barrett portrayed Marilyn’s life as a temporary “earthly tent,” emphasizing her readiness for an eternal “building from God.”
He highlighted Quincy’s unwavering belief in Christ, her ability to spread joy, and her resilience against adversity, including racial discrimination. Marilyn’s love for others, reflected in her work with the Snohomish County Black Heritage Committee, was a testament to her Holy Spirit-filled life. Barrett urged mourners to emulate Quincy by living with purpose, loving generously, and preparing their own “tents” for eternity before featuring a slideshow of her life.
“Marilyn knew her tent was temporary, but she made sure it was filled with love, faith, and a light that pointed to God,” said Rev. Barrett.
During a Reflections segment of the service, friends and families shared stories of Marilyn’s warmth and tenacity, from organizing the first Nubian Jam, to mentoring employees at the Employee’s Security Department, to her steering a boat for the first time towards a Washington state ferry.
Marilyn Quincy was laid to rest in a private burial with her family on June 27, 2025, at Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery.
Marilyn Jean Quincy is survived by her sons Anthony and William; grandchildren, Keliah, Keelah, and Jarrell; and great-grandchildren, Onyx and Ronin; her sisters, Georgina Paul and Mary Barrett (Spencer); her extended family; and a wide circle of friends and community members.
Author: Mario Lotmore
