MARJORIE PAGE KELLY

Marjorie Page Kelly, 84, died peacefully on September 12, 2008. She was born on February 5, 1924, in Wichita Falls, Texas. The only child of Edward C. Page and Cora Pearl Scott, she grew up with many aunts, uncles and cousins in Wichita Falls and east Texas, all of whom called her "punk "and hoped that she would eventually become a lady like her mother.

After high school graduation in 1941, she attended Texas Women's College for three years before marrying Vincent Paul Kelly the boy across the street in April 1944. Paul had graduated from Texas A& M and gone to work for Westinghouse Electric for the war effort. They moved around Texas for Paul's job even after Kerry was born in 1946, and Stephen in 1949.

In 1953 the Kelly family moved to Richland, Washington for Paul's job as an engineer at Hanford. The simple ranch house on Cedar St., exactly matching every other house on the street, was a shock to Marjorie, who, over the next 55 years, led several remodeling and redecorating projects to make it her own.

The Kelly family spent many weekends camping and hiking in the Washington Cascades. Once Kerry and Steve were in school, Marjorie began her many contributions to the Richland community. She was a Brownie and Girl Scout leader and worked with the Candy Stripers at Kadlec Hospital and with the Kadlec Auxiliary. She became president of the Auxiliary in 1972. She worked for the Mid - Columbia Mental Health Center for 11 years until her retirement in 1991.

Marjorie had a lifelong interest in health, and, at another time in history might have been a doctor. Indeed she was so astute about medical conditions that her family consulted her informally and jokingly referred to her as "Dr. Marge".

Marjorie's other interests were reading, sewing, photography, Beagles, mysteries, country music, and shopping for a sensible deal. Once she and Paul retired they loved to travel in their RV to the Oregon Coast and Portland. They frequently came to see their daughter Kerry and granddaughter Cassandra in Oakland, CA. and were regulars at Thanksgiving there. She had a great interest in people and their stories, never forgetting a face or a name.

Marjorie is survived by her husband, Paul, to whom she was married for 64 years and who cared for her during her last 15 years of multiple illnesses and disabling conditions. Others who will miss her are their daughter Kerry Compton and son Stephen, and granddaughter Cassandra Page Compton and her husband, Hugo Leyva. She will also be missed by her Texas cousins, Mary Beth and Donnie Primm; Denise and Logan Primm; and Donnette, Doug, and Audrey Morris.

Marjorie will be remembered for her unquenchable spirit and positive outlook on life in spite of her many physical challenges, reminding us not to sit on the "pity pot".

She was buried at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, WA on September 15, 2008. No services were held. Memories can be shared at www.einansfuneralhome.com.