Marylin Garris, 84, of Bella Vista, passed away June 7, 2026, at the Bentonville Circle of Life Hospice Home. She was born May 29, 1942, at Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Her career was spent as an elementary school teacher with a master's degree in reading and writing. She retired to Bella Vista in 1997. Marylin was an avid runner in her younger days. She ran in the Boston Marathon in 1981 and finished 234th with a time of 3 hours, 18 minutes and 58 seconds. She also won many state races in her age category. In Bella Vista, she loved golfing in the Bella Vista Women's Golf Association. This group honored her with the "2025 Hall of Fame Award" in November. For the last seventeen years, she spent her winters in Retama Village, Mission, TX.

Preceding her in death were her sisters, Helen Arndorfer and Pat Milefchik; and brother, Michael Malinger.

She is survived by her husband, Ron; her sisters, Diane Easley, Sheila O'Hern; and her brother, Mark Mallinger.

Marylin requested that there be no funeral and we will honor that request. She will be missed.