Marion Louise Nelson Speck

Marion was born in Rush City, Minnesota, in 1930, and passed away on October 10, 2013, in Richland, Washington.

She moved to Richland in 1950 and for a brief period of time in 1953 to 1954, she left Richland for San Francisco where she went to Arts and Fashion School while working as a draftsperson and a dental assistant.

She married Edward R. Speck on July 25, 1958, and they resided in Richland their entire married life. Her occupations have been varied. After graduating from high school in Minnesota, she first worked as a telephone operator using a plug-in switchboard, an assembly worker at a Fuller Brush Factory, a draftsperson in St. Paul, Minnesota and San Francisco, CA. In Richland she worked for Rockwell Hanford Operation, Atlantic Richfield Hanford Company, General Electric, Battelle Memorial Institute and Siemens as a graphic illustrator, forms designer and functional specialist. In 1994, she won the 1994 member-at-large Service Award from the Business Forms Management Association of Portland. She and her husband, Ed, established their own graphics company, Air-O-Graphics.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Speck, her parents, Oscar and Anna Hertenstein Nelson, her brother, Roger Edward Nelson, and infant nephew David Lee Hickey.

Survivors include her two sisters, Janet Stanley Nelson Lattin and Barbara Clifford Nelson Finnie, nieces Karen Hickey Bernhardy, Deanna Hickey Blem, Susan Nelson McGuire, and Dana Lattin, and nephews Todd Hickey and Ben Lattin, an uncle John Hertenstein plus numerous cousins and close friends.

To our sister, Marion You were no tiny brief candle shining out on our lives But a colossal spark showing us your way. You have been constant energy for us both. The love we have shared for each other reflects the love of our parents who raised us and gave us wisdom and strength to endure whatever has happened throughout life's journey. Marion, thank you for being our big sister. We will love you forever, always aware of your profound effect on our lives. You will never be forgotten. Janet Lattin and Barbara Finnie

Marion leaves behind fond memories of good times with her family and with all who were touched by her life. Her favorite vacation trips were to Hawaii, a place that was never far from her heart and mind.

Her family thanks Hospice at The Chaplaincy, the nurses who cared for her during her last days from Professional Case Management, Dr. Eric Gamboa and the staff at Tri-Cities Cancer Center, as well as Kadlec Medical Center Staff for the care they gave Marion during her courageous and lengthy cancer journey.

Thanks, too, to her many friends and relatives who have sent her cards and flowers to cheer her.

She appreciated all of you immensely.

She was cremated and at her request, no funeral services will be held. There will be a private memorial service for her at some later date.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made in her memory to The Chaplaincy, 1480 Fowler Street, Richland, WA 99352,