Marlana Louise Hillary

Marlana Louise Hillary, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, artist, musician, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2026, at the age of 74. She was born on August 21, 1952, in Nampa, Idaho, to Dale and Marlene Bybee. Throughout her life, Marlana lived in several places, including Oregon and Nebraska, before returning to Idaho, where she raised her family and made her home.

If there was one thing that could be said about Marlana, it was that she was always creating something beautiful. She had a remarkable imagination and a wonderfully creative mind. She seemed happiest when she had a new idea to bring to life. Her hands were rarely idle, and her home was often filled with whatever project had captured her attention at the time.

Marlana was a songwriter, musician, author, and artist. She loved to sing, write songs, and play the guitar. She spent countless hours composing music and creating albums. She also wrote children’s books, including Just Be You, a book that reflected both her creativity and her encouragement to others to be themselves.

When Marlana published Just Be You, she didn’t simply sell a book and call it good. She decided that every book needed a friend—and music to go along with it. For years, she hand-sewed stuffed elephants named Ellie, which she sold alongside her books and CDs. It was classic Marlana: she could take a simple idea and turn it into an entire creative adventure.

Her creativity took many forms. She made stained-glass pieces, created elegant pottery, and attended shows where she sold her handmade creations. She enjoyed the work itself, but she also loved the people she met along the way. She had a gift for turning her interests into opportunities to connect with others.

Marlana also loved performing. During her 20s and 30s, she participated in plays and enjoyed being on stage. She loved music, dancing, singing, and making people smile.

Marlana was an incredibly hard worker. During the summers, she traveled with family to shows, first selling engraved glass and later selling orthotics. She also became a Mary Kay consultant and was recognized for her success with the company by being awarded a new car. She loved staying busy and continued working at the BYN nutrition store until just one month before her passing. She cherished the many friends she made there, who often called her their second mom. She delighted in sharing her love of health and nutrition with others.

Her faith was another important part of her life. Marlana was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and loved serving others. She found joy in her calling to lead music and in giving her time and talents to help the people around her. Her faith and desire to serve were woven into the way she lived her life.

Marlana was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Marlene Bybee; and her younger brother, Larry Bybee.

She is survived by her four children and their families: Ryan Hinckley (Cynthia) and their children, Aidan and Justice; Heidi DaBell (Jeff) and their children, Ashley, Tyler, Brianna, and Cameron; Erik Hillary and his children, Brynn and Gentry; and Greg Hillary (Sariah) and their children, Trei, Kailyn, and Isaac.

Marlana’s children and grandchildren will remember a mother and grandmother who was always doing something, making something, creating something, or dreaming up her next idea. They will remember her singing and playing the guitar, her artwork, her pottery, her stained glass, her stories, her faith, and the many creations that came from her imagination.

But most of all, they will remember that Marlana was Marlana—creative, determined, independent, hardworking, and wonderfully unique. She had a way of filling her life with projects and filling the lives of those around her with memories.

She leaves behind much more than the things she created. She leaves behind music, stories, laughter, artwork, traditions, and countless memories. Most importantly, she leaves behind the people she loved and the many lives she touched simply by being herself.

Marlana will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

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