Marianne Planta

Marianne Planta (Harris) passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025 at age 86 with her daughter and husband at her side following a valiant seven year battle to overcome the effects of two major strokes.

Marianne was born on Day Island in Tacoma, WA on May 6, 1939 to George S. Harris and Lois C. Harris (Lukenbill), their first child and only daughter. She was later joined by her two brothers, Tony (in 1943) and George (in 1947), both of whom she truly adored. Marianne grew up beach combing, playing, fishing, boating and waterskiing on the shores of the family's waterfront home on Day Island in Puget Sound.

Marianne graduated from University Place grade school and Clover Park high school where on her very first day she met the love of her life, Ted Planta who followed her into study hall and would become her high school sweetheart and future husband. After high school, Marianne lived for a time in Cleveland, Ohio working at the Cleveland Clinic before becoming a jet airline stewardess for Western Airlines on the first Boeing 707s. Marianne was stationed in Manhattan Beach, California where she loved driving her 1955 red convertible T-bird in the California sunshine. Marianne gave up her flying career to wed Ted in 1960. At that time stewardesses were not allowed to be married.

Relocating to Seattle for Ted's career at Boeing, Marianne and Ted found and purchased a small waterfront property in West Seattle where they built the home they lived in for the remainder of Marianne's life. She was never happier than when she was on the beach or in the Sound. In 1967, Marianne blessed Ted with a daughter, Elizabeth Anne (Liz), their only child. Marianne had long dreamed of having a little girl and proved to be the most loving, caring and nurturing mother imaginable. She was a stay at home mom, who did everything to make Liz and Ted's life truly wonderful.

A lifelong animal lover, Marianne was never without a small poodle or a Yorkshire terrier in her arms. During the late 1970s she even had a home business grooming poodles. She also loved all birds - wild and domesticated, and never tired of watching or caring for them.

Marianne and Ted shared a lifelong passion for boating, starting with small run-abouts and graduating to larger boats, eventually joining Seattle Yacht Club where they made many friends and enjoyed club events and cruising on the Salish Sea.

Marianne is survived by her loving husband Ted, dearest daughter Liz, adored brother George and treasured nieces Sarah and Theresa. She was predeceased by both of her parents and her brother Tony.

We would like to extend our extreme gratitude to the wonderful and caring staff at Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle, who helped care for and watch over Marianne at the end of her life. We cannot thank these amazing people enough.

Words do not exist to adequately describe the supremely wonderful person Marianne was. Her family loved her dearly and will miss her immensely.

There will be no memorial services, per Marianne's request.

Please share memories on the guestbook below.

Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle