Marie E. "Midge" Howard, 74, passed away peacefully after a courageous struggle with kidney disease on September 5, 2025 at her home in Sedro-Woolley, Washington.

She was born Aug. 31, 1951, in Seattle, to Jack and Lilla (Sarin) Howard. Midge grew up with her older sister, Pat, and younger brother, Mike. Though her father was Scotch-Irish, Midge often identified more closely with her mother's Scandinavian background.

Retired journalist Midge Howard was always up for fun and always ready to help others.

Her life was filled with crazy costumes at fundraisers, practical jokes, and even a birthday party with the Mariner Moose.

A longtime and active Soroptimist, Midge twice chaired the Relay for Life cancer-cure fundraiser in Skagit County  even before her own cancer diagnosis.

In sixth grade, Midge picked up the violin  the beginning of a lifelong love of music and the arts. That same year, she started a neighborhood newspaper, a childhood hobby that would eventually shape her career.

A graduate of Seattle's Roosevelt High School, Midge attended Shoreline Community College before transferring to the University of Washington. There, she worked on The Daily , the UW student newspaper, alongside future Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist David Horsey, and earned a degree in editorial journalism.

Midge gained experience through internships and positions at the Ritzville-Adams County Journal , the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin , the Port Townsend Leader , and the Lynnwood Enterprise . She quickly earned a reputation for her dedication and strong work ethic.

"You had to be willing to do whatever it took to get the newspaper out," she once said.

Midge found her permanent home in Skagit County when she joined the Sedro-Woolley Courier-Times , where she worked for five years and formed lasting friendships.

During a break from journalism, Midge worked for several years with the Skagit County Youth Diversion Program. Later, she held a technical writing position at Skagit Corporation in Sedro-Woolley, followed by roles at Skagit Valley College Foundation, and as a journalism instructor at the college. She later joined MacGregor Publishing, where she worked for many years as a contract writer and database builder.

Midge was a member of the Skagit Runners Club, where she met Jim Taylor, her husband of 20 years.

She was also active in the Democratic Party, Beta Sigma Phi, and Soroptimist International, where she not only raised funds for community programs but also built deep, sister-like friendships. Midge served in leadership roles including president in the Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, and Cascadia Online Soroptimist clubs. She was honored as Skagit County's SWAN Woman of the Year.

Her eclectic hobbies included decorating eggshells and collecting nutcrackers and shoes.

A devoted Mariners fan, Midge was surprised on her 50th birthday with a limousine ride to a game complete with two dozen roses from the Mariner Moose. The team even won that night.

Midge was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived  by her sister Pat (Dennis) Eldridge; nephews, Eryk, Tyge, and Kyle; grandniece Taylor; grandnephew, Jaxon; brother, Mike (Rum) Howard; nieces, Hannah and Megan; close friends, Maggie Potter, Linda Johnson, Terri Olsen, and Connie Dodd; and  special friend Ray Redd.

A Celebration of Midge's Life will be held at 1:00, Saturday, October 25, 2025, at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley, with Pastor Larry Olson officiating. A reception will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Eagles.  Share your memories of Midge and sign the online guest register.