Obituary of Marjorie Anne Marion

Marjorie Anne Marion, age 70, died at home in Olympia, Washington on Friday evening, February 15, 2019.  After a long and private struggle with depression and anxiety, she died by suicide.  Her memorial service will be held Saturday April 6, 2019, 2:00 p.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1925 Boulevard Road SE, Olympia, WA 98501. 

Born June 24, 1948, in Hyattsville, Maryland, Marjorie was the third daughter of Arthur and Martha Durfee.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Wayne Marion, just six months earlier.  She is survived by her two beloved daughters, Julie Logosz and Kris Marion; her grandchildren, Caleb and Sophia Logosz, and Hannah, Jacob and Ellis Marion-Doyle; her two sisters, Connie Marion (Roland) and Ruth Gilbert (Ken); nieces, Amara Oden and Sarah Sprague; and nephews, Ryan Gilbert, Luke Gilbert, Michael Marion, Scott Marion, Colby Shaw and William Sprague.

Marjorie, lovingly known as Marj, lived her early years in Maryland.  At the age of six, the family moved to Ithaca, New York, where she was based for the remainder of her elementary, middle and high school education.  At the age of 16, she accompanied her parents and middle sister, Ruth, to the Philippines for a year.  The travel to and from the Philippines took her around the world, stopping for visits in 11 other countries.  She studied at The College of Wooster, SUNY Oneonta and Colorado State University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics Education.  She went on to earn her Master’s degree from Texas A&M University.     

Marj spent 16 years with her husband and children in Gainesville, Florida, very involved with church activities and raising her family.  It was there that she developed her artistic skills and love of paper and stamping.  She had previously become an expert seamstress “at her mother’s knee,” loving fabric, design and color. 

In 1991, the family moved to Olympia for Wayne’s employment.  Marj’s career in art then led her to related employments over 17 years.  She was with “Quackers” stamp store until 2003, followed by “Art ‘n Soul” fine art store, where she was a very popular teacher of classes in stamping techniques and card creation.  At the request of a stamp company, she made three trips to England to represent them at a conference and use her talents to demonstrate their wares. 

Marj had immense love for her daughters and their children.  This showed in regular visits to Lynnwood, braving the infamous Seattle/I-5 traffic to care for her grandchildren for overnight stays while their parents worked, often taking along a craft project for “the kids” to enjoy with “Nana.”

Church was an invaluable source of support, service and care for Marjorie.  She and Wayne attended Westminster Presbyterian regularly as active members, both serving in many different roles.  Marj was devoted to the church choir and loved being surrounded by music.  She made most of the materials for the Godly Play children’s program and often designed worship decor for the sanctuary.  Her art and church were the primary avenues through which Marj made close and lasting friends.  Even into her retirement, her “stamping friends” continued to meet, share, and enjoy their art and their friendship.  In addition, Marj responded to Wayne's devotion to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation by becoming a Life Member and attending local chapter banquets.

Marj’s entire family remembers with great joy (and, now, sharp pain) the person she showed and maintained with all of us - one of positivity, laughter, friendliness, compassion, service and concern for others.  We are heartbroken to learn of the deeper distress she kept private and so well hidden, as shame and other feelings kept her from seeking help from family, friends or appropriate professionals.  

For those interested, charities Marj valued include:

Westminster Presbyterian Church (especially music and children’s ministries programs):

https://www.wpcoly.org

Westminster Garden of Weedin’ (monies and food donated to local food banks):

https://www.wpcoly.org/garden-of-weedin

Olympia Homeless Camp (church community supported Thurston Co. tiny home village):

www.quixotecommunities.org  

Organizations Marj’s family now increasingly cares about:   

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (advocacy, research and resources):

https://afsp.org

Survivors of Suicide (resources for coping and healing after a suicide):

http://www.survivorsofsuicide.com