Marilyn Winde (Lynn) Ruckman passed away peacefully in her home on May 15, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Her passing freed her from her long, brave battle with cancer. Lynn was born February 7, 1945 in Los Angeles, CA. Shortly after, her family moved back to Everett, WA. She studied abroad in Turkey and graduated from Everett High in 1963. Lynn attended the University of Washington and was one of the first women to earn a BA in Business Administration. Her first job out of college was a market researcher with Procter and Gamble, where she travelled around the states and met the love of her life, Phil Ruckman. She moved to Cincinnati in 1968 where she was hired as a product manager for Gibson Greeting Cards. She and Phil were married in 1970. Her priority was being a great mother and wife, but she also worked from home managing a trade show in Cincinnati, the ISA/IEEE Conference and Exhibit. Community was important to her and over the years Lynn volunteered in many ways: for Habitat for Humanity, where she helped build an all-female-constructed home; leading Girl Scout Troop 294; at the Cincinnati Zoo; for Wyoming High School, where both of her kids Greg and JoAnn graduated; and The Beach Watchers of Camano Island. When Phil retired from Procter and Gamble in 1998, the couple moved to Camano Island, WA, to be closer to Lynn's parents in Everett. Her passion for genealogy, travel, gardening and nature filled her days with interest and excitement. She was loved dearly and will be missed by many. She is survived by her husband Phil of 46 years, son Gregory Ruckman (Marika Page) of Breckenridge, CO, daughter JoAnn Ruckman, (husband Adan Gutierrez-Gallegos and daughter Alma Ruckman-Gallegos) of Alameda, CA, and brother Tom Winde (wife Gail) of Auburn, WA.
In lieu of flowers, Lynn would prefer a donation to Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center (www.fredhutch.org) to help defeat cancer.
Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.