Marjorie K. Donaldson was born in Seattle Washington on August 9th, 1923 to Thomas and Dariel Olsen. She died August 25th 2014 in her Kenmore Condo on Lake Washington. Her early childhood was spent growing up in the Seward Park area of Seattle Playing with her sister Loretta. Her father managed a Salmon Cannery in Alaska and was gone from late spring to early fall. Her mother, a remarkable woman in her own rite was charged with the dual role of running the house and nurturing the kids. Her mother became seriously ill When Marj was still a young girl. Long period's hospitalization occurred and eventually she never returned to the home after 1937. Her father subsequently remarried and a blended family consisting of a step sister, brother and step mom soon began in the Queen Ann area of Seattle. As a Queen Ann High school student she was proficient in many subjects but excelled in creative writing. It was a skill that continued to evolve throughout her life. At 17 she won a statewide contest with a speech on the works of Joyce Kilmer and was awarded a two week trip to Washington DC. At this point she was strikingly beautiful with movie star good looks, modeled Mink coats for a local furrier and also worked part time at the old Sears store in downtown Seattle. It was there that she met Bob Donaldson.
After a short courtship the two married in 1942 when she was 19 and began a 48 year partnership that produced four sons and a happy, love filled family. She had enormous energy, a boundless capacity for fun and a talent for making life exiting for those around her. She was a "working Mom " who had an 18 year career at the old Bon Marche (now Macys) She served as executive secretary to numerous store managers including long time Senior Vice President Irv Stanislaw and was well recognized within the organization for her "can do" attitude and cheerful disposition. In 1959 she moved with her two teenage sons to Aberdeen, Washington where husband Bob had been transferred there to manage the first Pay 'n Save Drug store outside the city of Seattle. The Aberdeen years were very special because she was now able to stay home, attend college classes and pursue other interests. In Aberdeen she gave birth to two more sons, Joseph and Scott. The family ultimately transferred back to Seattle for a couple of years and then to Redding California where she continued college classes and raising her young family. Upon Bob's retirement the family moved to Bellevue. A lot of traveling and time with friends and family were enjoyed before Bob's death in 1990. She later became reacquainted with an old high school friend of Bobs whose wife had recently passed away. The two found lots to share and soon began a relationship that blended their extended families together with their marriage in March 20, 1998. Much travel, many friends and lots of family time ensued until Bud McGerr's death in March 25, 2001. The last several years have continued to be active with college classes, book club and time with family interrupted periodically by medical issues requiring short stay rehab. She passed away August 25th at her beloved Condo at Marina Cove on Lake Washington surrounded by loving family and friends. She leaves four son's John (Kay) Olympia, Bob (Sue) Bellvue;Joseph (Assara),HonoluluHl.,Scott(Lesley)Snohomish and 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grand children as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Her lasting legacy to family and friends is the ability to accept and to celebrate the human experience complete with its imperfections and to recognize the God who made us in each individual regardless of their station in life. To accept and cherish each other with an unconditional love that knows no boundaries and has no limits.
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