Marianne Martin Cochran

Marianne Martin Cochran died at the Washington Odd Fellows Nursing Home on Sunday morning, Nov. 22, 2015, from complications of a stroke she suffered in late October. She was 84 years old. Wife, mother, grandmother, nurse, farmer, friend: she wore these and many other titles with great enthusiasm during the long and full life God granted her.

Marianne was born in Walla Walla on Sept. 4, 1931, to George T. and Anna Mae (McGrath) Martin. She was the fourth child of eight who would grace the Martin home on Chase Avenue. Marianne learned early the value of education, volunteering and celebrating life’s moments. She attended St. Patrick’s Grade School and St. Vincent’s Academy in Walla Walla, and graduated in 1949. She pursued a career in nursing at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Yakima, graduating in 1952 with her RN license. She returned to Walla Walla and worked in the operating room at St. Mary’s Hospital. While working full-time at the hospital she also attended Whitman College.

In November 1955, she married Keith E. Cochran and began her career as a farmer’s wife and mother to two children. As a team they farmed wheat and barley ranches for 60-plus years. Marianne volunteered at Red Cross blood drawings, went on hospital visits for family members and used her knowledge of medical matters to assist others. She was appointed by Gov. Dixie Lee Ray to serve as a consumer advocate on the state Health Planning Board. One could always count on Marianne to be ready to assist anyone in need and to use the many gifts and talents she had for the sake of others. She belonged to several service organizations: Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, American Red Cross, Catholic Women’s Altar Society, PEO Sorority and others as well.

Family and faith were the cornerstones of Marianne’s life. She is survived by her two children, Neal (Margaret) Cochran and Rev. Paul Cochran, SJ; two grandchildren, Molly and Peter Cochran; and two brothers, Dr. Eugene Martin, DDS, and Dr. Donald Martin, DDS. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Cochran; sisters, Sara Jane (Burrows) and Charlotte (Schlicker); and brothers, Robert, Howard and Pat Martin. There are numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. Marianne was devoted to her Catholic faith; she was a member of Assumption Parish but could be seen attending Mass, devotions or meetings at any one of the three parishes in Walla Walla.

The Vigil/Rosary service for Marianne will be held 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015, at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. The funeral Mass will be held 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers the family asks donations in memory of Marianne Cochran be given to the charity of the donor’s choice.

The family and friends of Marianne Cochran wish to especially thank the staffs of Providence St. Mary’ Medical Center rehab unit, Odd Fellows Nursing Home and Herring Groseclose Funeral Home for their deep care and assistance during these last few weeks of her earthly journey.