EVERETT — Marianne Skotdal, a former teacher and librarian in the Everett School District, who after marrying Art Skotdal formed a real estate company that developed office, retail and apartment complexes in downtown Everett, has died.
Marianne Skotdal, 75, died Thursday.
She graduated from Eisenhower High School in Yakima in 1959. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and her teaching certificate from Western Washington University.
She worked for the Everett School District from 1964 to 1972, teaching second and third grades at View Ridge, Whittier and Longfellow elementary schools. She later became a librarian at Whittier and Lowell elementary schools.
It was while teaching that she met her future husband, Art Skotdal. They celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary in February.
Her sons, Andy Skotdal, 46, and Craig Skotdal, 43, remember their mom’s love of books was demonstrated daily in their home.
“Books and reading were a big part of our lives growing up,” Craig Skotdal said.
They remember her reading to them “every afternoon and every night as many as we could get her to read,” Andy Skotdal said. The titles included, “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” and other books by author Shel Silverstein and “Tinker and Tanker” by Richard Scarry.
“It turned us into loving to read on our own,” Andy Skotdal said.
As a couple, Marianne and Art Skotdal began investing in real estate. “They started with a really small business, a four-unit apartment building and it grew from there,” Andy Skotdal said.
The couple later formed Skotdal Real Estate. Their buildings helped shape Everett’s downtown core, many becoming local landmarks.
They include the Union Bank Building on Colby, one of the first mixed-use developments in downtown Everett with apartments, office and retail space; Library Place apartments on Hoyt Avenue; and Aero Apartments on Rucker Avenue.
Marianne Skotdal was the “organizational glue” for the business, Andy Skotdal said.
Their mother’s attention to detail was demonstrated in many ways, such as the flowers and extra landscaping incorporated into all their proprieties, Craig Skotdal said. “When you walk by Key Bank Tower you’ll see flowers in the street scape and planters around the building,” he said.
Although people may assume the plantings are maintained by the city’s parks department, the business has a full time horticulturalist on staff to focus on the landscaping and flowers, he said.
“She wanted to set a positive example not only for the city, but for other property owners to follow,” Craig Skotdal said.
Marianne Skotdal’s background as a librarian influenced the development of Library Place, Craig Skotdal said, such as the bookstack sculpture in front of the building and the pencil sculpture about a block away.
Her installation of large flower planters in front of their buildings on Colby Avenue helped spur the city’s decision to add additional flowers along the street, Craig Skotdal said.
“She was a true believer in the potential of Everett and wanting to make it the best it could be,” he said.
Their mom was someone who “took time to get to know everyone as individuals,” Andy Skotdal said, learning the names of employees’ grandkids at a local grocery store. “Mom was approachable to everyone,” he said.
A public reception and celebration of life is scheduled from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 3003 Colby Ave. in Everett. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by noon Nov. 18 at www.marianneskotdal.com or by calling Skotdal Real Estate 425-252-5400.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
