Marion Ruth Wyatt Greenwell passed away Nov. 12, 2009 at age 90 in Hospice House in Kennewick, WA. She was born to Nell Owsley Snider Wyatt & William Paul Wyatt on July 18, 1919 in Oak Park, IL. Marion was a grandchild to a large and philanthropic family Owsley who came to Kentucky in the late 1700s and later settled in Lincoln, IL during the 1850s.

Marion lived in the Chicago area during her early years. She often spent time with her extended family, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Her uncles gave her "rides" on ponies and a goat or two on the huge orange farm in Los Angeles Wyatt when her family visited. She loved her uncles who made her giggle. Life was simple until her parents' divorce and the "Market Crash of 1929." During the Depression she lived with grandparents Snider in Santa Barbara. Her mom found work at Marshall Field's Chicago and eventually got a job at Bell-Telephone in Fargo where Marion went to join her. She graduated high school in Fargo in 1937 and went on to Business College there, making many life-long friends in the process.

In 1944, on a train trip to Santa Barbara to visit her grandparents, she met Wilbur Parker Greenwell. Will or Bill as he was called by some was in the Seabees, an engineering unit, in the South Pacific on Florida Island. He came to Hanford and became a chief power operator at "B" reactor. Marion and Will were married in 1946 and made their home in Richland.

Marion worked for the AEC Atomic Energy Commission as an executive secretary from 1946 to 49. She "retired" to raise her daughter and be a homemaker. In 1962, she became the executive secretary at the Port of Benton where she excelled. In those days, the Port of Benton was housed with the B-F Governmental Conference, Chamber of Commerce, Lutheran Social Services & Girl Scouts, where the Richland Police dept. is now. Her attention to detail and rapport with clients were unmatched for the next 14 years. She made many more lasting friendships there, retiring from the Port in 1976.

A life of serving was Marion's heritage and she did that faithfully. She gave many years of service to the American Red Cross, PTA, Camp Fire Girls and Kadlec Auxilary. Most of all she loved serving her church Southside United Protestant. She would do anything where her talents could be useful. Most of all she loved singing in the choir. She did that for many years. Due to her giving nature Marion loved to help anyone in need and did whatever she could. During her lifetime she helped many people.

Marion is survived by her daughter Marilin Louise Greenwell Wolford, grandson, Andrew Wyatt and Marlo Wolford and great grandson Camden. She was preceded in death by her husband, Will 1976 and brother, Clinton Eugene Wyatt 1969. She is also survived by her dear friends of 70 years: Lynetta Boettcher Fargo and Phyllis Pat Endersbee Spokane, formerly Fargo.

A memorial service will be held to honor and celebrate her long life at Southside United Protestant Church, 517 Jadwin, Richland on Dec. 5th at 2:00 p.m.

Memorials can be made in Marion's honor to Southside United Protestant Church, 517 Jadwin, Richland, WA.