Marilyn earned her BS from Portland State University in 1975, and an MA in Communications from the University of Portland in 1977. Then, as a single parent with six of her eight children still at home she returned to the work force full-time for the first time in 25 years. She climbed the corporate ladder in hospital PR and publications production, owned an advertising/PR agency, and served as president, or in other offices for several professional organizations. 

She volunteered as a suicide/crisis counselor, a CASA (court appointed special advocate) for abused or neglected children, and as a counselor to women in prison. With hundreds of newspaper and magazine feature stories to her credit, she now writes books and online features. 

Marilyn and her retired Air Force husband Harry Taylor were world travelers. Having spent winters in Mexico for 13 of their 20 years together. They spent Harry's final years at home in Beaverton, Oregon. Marilyn moved to an independent living facility six months after Harry's passing in 2018.