Marie Joan Ellis (nee Coleman), resident of Salem, Oregon, passed away peacefully in her home on March 2, 2022, at the age of 91. She was born on October 22, 1930, in Jennings, Kansas to parents Helen (Kaspar) and George Coleman. Her father remarried Alice Geyer following her mother's death, and Marie grew up on their family farm with their blended family of 4 sisters and a brother. Marie did not want to be a farmer, so she left Kansas for California after graduating from high school.
Marie married Duane Edwin Ellis in 1952 and had two children, Robyn Marie and George Ray. Duane and Marie divorced when their children were teenagers, and she worked tirelessly to provide a great life for them as a single parent. Marie spent the majority of her career working for Morrow Meadows Corporation as an office manager and in accounts receivable. She met the founders of the company when she moved in next door, and they recruited her because of her integrity and character. This friendship spanned 3 generations, and Marie considered the Meadows kids to be her other children.
Marie retired and moved to Oregon with her son's family in 1994, shortly followed by her daughter's family. She spent many years volunteering at Salem Hospital and the Republican Women's Association. She also doted on her granddaughters: Jonelle (Shaw) Lewis, Corinne (Shaw) Temple, Brenda (Ellis) Beer, and Samantha Ellis. Her house was like a second home to "her girls." Later, she did the same for her great grandchildren: Jackson Lewis, Anneliese Lewis, Greyson Temple, Jacob Beer, and Ethan Beer.
Marie was the sort of person who could make a friend in an elevator. She was kind and sociable, and genuinely interested in others. She loved to laugh so hard, she cried; and her joy was infectious. She was a wonderful second mother to her daughter in law, Cecily (Hodder) Ellis, and a grandma to all her grandkids' friends. She loved to play canasta and other games with her family and friends and is the current world record holder for worst luck at Mexican Train. Even when she was losing, she could still talk smack with the best of them.
Her legacy is that of generosity, humor, and love. She is loved and missed by far too many friends and family members to list.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hed-fh.com for the Ellis family.
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