Marjorie Grams E. Brunton

She was just a baby when her father was killed in a tragic logging accident in July of 1922. As a young girl she and her mother had to work daily to make ends meet. They sold vegetables from the family garden to pay taxes. She and her mother moved to Spokane in 1933. It was there that she met her first husband Richard Richardson who lived in the house next door.

Grams would sit on the porch and listen to “Grandpa” Richardson practice his music. They fell in love and were married on June 26, 1938. Grandpa Richardson and Grams both worked at the Slab Inn in Post Falls Idaho. He performed both solo and with his band “The Richardson Rhythm Boys” and she worked in the kitchen cooking and cleaning.

They had two beautiful daughters, Marjorie Grace (Margie) Rigsby and Beverly Mae Tucker. In 1947, the family moved into the house on Spofford where she lived for the next 51 years.

Her husband Richard Richardson passed away in 1964. They were married for 26 years. It was then when Gram’s learned to drive a car, and began the art of decorating for clubs and events

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Several years went by, and then on day Gram’s was at a friend’s home where she met Al Brunton. They were married in August of 1969. They were instrumental in the opening of Spokane’s Walk in the Wild Zoo. Both Al and Grams worked hours and hours fundraising and promoting the zoo. After a long illness, Al passed away in June of 1975.

After the death of her second husband, Grams’ became even more involved and active in many, community activities, clubs, and centers. Some of these include The Spokane Women’s Federation of Clubs, Rizwan, West Central Neighborhood Steering Committee, The Red Hat’s Society, Royal Neighbors, The Spokane Lilac Festival and many more. She took great pride in her participation in these clubs and being active in a variety of ways. She was especially proud when her decorations were used and admired for meetings, events, parties etc.

She was honored to be the official “Decorator” who made the Flowers for many of her Grand Children’s weddings. These are memories we will cherish forever.

Grams’ was active and vocal in Political events with the Democrat Club and was an avid fundraiser and supporter for the candidates and elective officials. She was honored to meet, and have the opportunity to decorate for a fundraiser for Mr. Tom Foley. She was passionate with her political beliefs.

Gram’s was a longtime volunteer who provided numerous donations throughout the years to Sinto Senior Activity Center. For decades she prepared the cakes, pies and other desserts for the weekly dances at Sinto Center as well as volunteering at the other Senior Centers for a variety of causes. She received many accolades for her tireless fundraising efforts and donations to the center. Gram’s was recognized in a Sinto Volunteer article which began with: “Margie Brunton sparkles with energy and spirit” and concluded with “Yes, Margie loves life and we love her!” That article truly captured her spirit.

Gram’s was known as the little lady in the big van that was always “full of stuff”. There was barely room for her to sit, much less drive it. She recycled paper, cans, bottles, tin, cardboard and aluminum. She had many “pick up” spots throughout the city of Spokane where she regularly loaded her van to the hilt. She was well known and recognized at the Recycling Centers.

Gram’s was a huge fan and supporter of Law Enforcement. She had a lot of respect for officers and enjoyed any opportunity she had to visit with them wherever and whenever ever she could.

She was an avid “collector” of stuff and was particularly proud of her Salt and Pepper Shakers collection. She also loved shopping at all of the second hand stores.

She loved flowers and had a lot of joy in making flower decorations for her family, numerous parties, events and activities. She would spend hours with a hot-glue gun in her hand meticulously gluing parts to her creations.

She loved “Bling! It would be rare to see Grams not wearing multiply jackets and multiple pins/broaches. She loved wearing her pretty things and mixing up her colors.

For most all of her life she worked hard. She called it “Day Work”. It was cleaning houses and offices. Her van was full of not only her recyclables but also her cleaning supplies. It was common to see 2-3 vacuums, 3-4 floor buffers, several mops, brooms and multiple buckets with cleaning supplies in her van. She cleaned a local Print Shop each week from 1945-1997. Many of her house cleaning jobs became house sitting jobs as well. Grams worked 7 days a week for many years. She had a very strong work ethic and she typically started her day around 3:45 am.

This is a woman who wore many Hats……literally!

She created and decorated hundreds of hats that were enjoyed by so many. It was simply amazing at what she could put on top of a hat. She took so much joy in making, wearing and sharing her hat creations.

She had a hat for every holiday and event. She even had a 12 month hat show she performed with others.

Gram’s was a “performer”. She loved being on stage and lit up when she was dancing, singing and entertaining others.

She joined the Hillard Belles, Trainmen and Show Band in 1992. She made her dresses, parasols and head pieces and had multiple colors. She loved performing all over Eastern Wa and always looked forward to the making the audience smile and sing along.

Gram’s participated in the St. Patricks day parade for over 20 years. In 1993 she was named “Irish Woman of the Year” riding in the dignitary car as Mrs Dooley. Her picture was in the newspaper and she was so excited.

In 1992, she became the “Granny” who greeted people and served coffee at Granny’s Buffet most every Sunday. Gram’s loved doing this and the customers looked forward to seeing the Granny costume and Granny hat. It was estimated that she greeted and visited with well over 5000 people. After Granny’s Buffet closed, she continued dressing as Granny at The Golden Corral.

Our family was devastated when her oldest daughter, Margie Rigsby passed away in 2008, then two years later her son-in-law Chuck Rigsby passed. In Feb 2013, Gram’s lost her youngest daughter; Beverly Tucker. There is some comfort knowing that she is reunited with her beloved family.

As the years passed, Gram’s health began to decline. The past 4 years, Gram’s was cared for by the staff at The Gardens on University. The family would like to extend their thanks and appreciation for their patience and respect of Gram’s care.

Gram’s was an amazing woman who touched the lives of so many. She is loved and will be missed. She is survived by her 12 Grandchildren, Several Great grandchildren and an ever growing number of Great-Great grandchildren. . If there are parades in heaven, “Grams” is wearing one of her “special hats” and riding in a dignitary car waving and smiling. “Grams” was an amazing woman who touched the lives of so many. She is loved and will be missed and remembered.

Service is Friday May 3rd at 1:00 pm at Hazen and Jaeger N.1306 Monroe. Burial at Greenwood with a Reception to follow at Sinto Senior Activity Center at 1124 W. Sinto.

Family requests in leu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sinto Senior Activity Center in honor of Gram’s.