Marion Syble Dezellem Hensley was born August 13, 1921 in Bridgeport, Washington to Arthur E. and Lulu Fay Paslay Dezellem. After graduation from Pateros High School in 1940 Marion attended nursing school at Deaconess Hospital in Wenatchee and Spokane, receiving her Registered Nursing Certificate in 1943. She worked as an industrial nurse at the Shasta Dam project and as a surgical nurse in Los Angeles before marrying A. D. “Bill” Hensley in 1950. Daughter Linda was born in 1952. The marriage ended in 1958.

Mother and I moved to Richland in December of 1961 where she began her 25-year career working for the various contractors of the Hanford Area. Initially hired as an industrial nurse, she was ‘ROF-ed’ in the early ‘60’s. Mom marched straight to the office of General Electric’s site manager and informed him that she had a daughter to raise and had been promised a job. Was there somewhere else she could be placed? Indeed there was, and she began her career in the labs in the 200 areas. Mother was proud to be the first woman allowed to work overtime in the area, especially since she constantly worked overtime in her previous occupation as an on-call surgical nurse. She was also proud to be the first woman trained on the hot-cell manipulators. Mom received a medical retirement from the area in 1986; a direct result of injuries sustained in the 1985 bus accident.

After retirement, Marion traveled. She visited the eastern and southern United States via train and sailed at various times to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Her greatest adventure was on board the QE II where she celebrated the Millenium twice by zig-zagging the International Date Line.

Her mother, father, twin baby siblings, numerous aunts and uncles and an infant son preceded Marion in death. She is survived by her brother Don Joyce Dezellem of Santa Maria, Ca, sister Dorthy Howard Gamble of Brewster, Wa, ten nieces and nephews, daughter Linda Hensley Mount, granddaughters Lisa Brian Deane and Holly Mount and her pride and joy, great-granddaughter Makayla May Deane all of Monroe, Wa. Mother is also survived by many friends including her pinochle pals, two angels: Judy Watts and Lisa Bartholomew and by her very best buddy Gracie.

Burial and graveside services will take place toward springtime at the family cemetery located in the hills of Douglas County high above Brewster and the Columbia River. A celebration of her life will be held in Richland at a later date.

Bye, Mom. Thank you for the roof over my head, food on the table, my education and work ethic. I love you and I miss you…