Marian Krell, former Everett leader, dies at 71

Published 11:08 pm Thursday, August 13, 2009

EVERETT — Former City Councilwoman Marian V. Krell, who was a longtime neighborhood advocate and active in issues involving the arts in Snohomish County and city parks, died at her home on Thursday.

Krell helped launch the city’s Monte Cristo Awards, now in its 15th year, which recognizes people who help rejuvenate and improve their homes and businesses.

She pushed for council meetings to be televised to increase government openness and was an ardent advocate for a tax to help maintain Everett Transit, which she saw as a vital transportation link for seniors and low-income families.

“She had all that energy and harnessed it into making Everett a better place,” said Jessica Pavish, whose friendship with Krell spanned two decades, and who served with Krell on the Arts Council of Snohomish County.

Krell’s art collection included the work of many local artists as well as works from around the world.

“She brought to Snohomish County an international palette,” Pavish said. “She was a Renaissance woman.”

Krell, who was 71, had recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and had just begun cancer treatments, said Kate Reardon, a city spokeswoman.

Several council members have pledged to do the annual American Cancer Society walk for breast cancer, being held this year on Sept. 27 in Everett, in her honor, Reardon said.

A memorial for Krell is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Everett’s Monte Cristo Hotel ballroom, 1507 Wall St.

Everett Mayor Ray Stephanson remembered Krell as someone who “had a deep and abiding love for Everett and its citizens.”

“I had such an admiration for her. When she needed to be — when she had passion about an issue — she could be tough as nails.”

As one example, when she got behind a proposed 2005 tax increase for Everett Transit, it passed by a 57 percent margin, he said. “She had the biggest heart when it came to helping people,” Stephanson said.

Krell was a lifelong Everett resident and Everett High School graduate.

She began her work for Everett in 1994, serving as director of the office of neighborhoods. She remained in that post through 2002, when she was appointed to the City Council. She served as City Council president in 2005 and 2006.

Arlan Hatloe, current City Council president, said that he and Krell had been friends since childhood and that he had talked to her on Tuesday.

Krell served as Hatloe’s campaign treasurer the first time he ran for the council and was supporting him now in his third re-election campaign.

“Even just two days ago, she said, ‘Can I do anything to help?’ That was just Marian,” he said. “She always wanted to give and help.”

In the 1990s, Krell served on the Everett Park Foundation Board and the Arts Council of Snohomish County.

She also served on the Everett Senior Center Advisory Board and was a member of the Rotary Club of Everett and the Everett Women’s Book Club.

She and her husband, Jerry Krell, were married for 51 years. They had three children, Angela Stahl of Everett, Scott Krell of Snohomish and Brian Krell of Arlington.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.