Obituary of Marilyn Marie Torstvet

Marilyn Marie Torstvet, 85, died on Sunday, September 9, 2018, at her home in Tenino, Washington, surrounded by her large family. Marilyn was born on January 4, 1933, in Olympia, Washington, to Walter C. and Gladys Marie (Sawyer) Simmons and was named by her father.

Marilyn lived with her mother and stepfather, Ernest Dorris, in Forks, Washington, where she attended school, including Quillayute High School. While at Quillayute, she was voted song queen. Later, the family moved to Tenino, where she attended Tenino High School and sang in the senior chorus. Marilyn loved to sing and dance. 

In 1949, Marilyn married William Marvin May, and together they had five children. They were divorced in 1967. During their 18 years of marriage, Marilyn traveled to Mexico and Brazil with her husband and their children. Marilyn loved to travel.

In 1969, she married Earl Albert Torstvet, Jr., and together they had two children. Marilyn and Earl were married for 35 years until his death in 2004. Together, they enjoyed camping, attending their kids’ and grandkids’ athletic events, traveling across the country, going to swap meets, hunting, clam digging, and visiting casinos on occasion. Marilyn loved being active.

Marilyn worked for the state of Washington, at several state agencies, retiring from the Department of Transportation in 1994. Marilyn was an enrolled member of the Quinault Indian Nation, and an active member of the Allottee’s Association and Affiliated Tribes and Bands of the Quinault Reservation, where she volunteered to protect and promote the interests of Indian landowners.  She was a member of the VFW, and a member of the Tenino #564 Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Marilyn loved to dance, sing, travel, shop, read, and collect recipes, but her favorite activity was spending time with her large family, to which she was very dedicated.

Marilyn is survived by her beloved children, Bill May (Linda) of Rochester, Washington, Terry May (Bobbi) of Quincy, California, Renee’ May Molnes (Martin) of Rochester, Darla May Aumiller (Rob) of Centralia, Washington, Jeri Lynn Torstvet Miller (Robert) of Tenino, Earl Torstvet III (Michelle) of Tenino; beloved brother, Dale Dorris (Linda) of Brookings, Oregon; her beloved grandchildren, Christine, Sharon, Deana, Cori, Shalise, Robbie Del, Jason, Bill, Ryan, Eleni, Cody, Cole, and Rylee; her beloved great-grandchildren, Iesha, Logan, Reed, Ali, Porter, Macey, Charli, Robbie Earl, Parker, Charli Jean, Presley, Avery and Tucker; and numerous nieces and nephews whom she adored.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Walter (1949) and Gladys (1994); infant son, Gary Marvin May (1950); stepfather, Ernest “Ernie Boy” Dorris (1965); ex-husband, Bill May (September 9, 1985); husband, Earl Torstvet (April 11, 2004); brother, Myron Charles Simmons (2013), and sister-in-law, Jacqueline Mae Simmons (Kelm) (2011).

Marilyn’s celebration of life will be held on Sunday, September 30, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. in the Tuscan Terrace Room at Pellegrino’s Event Center, 5757 Littlerock Road SW, Tumwater, WA. Refreshments with coffee and tea will be served.