THERESA MARIE FONTYN
May 15, 1930 ~ April 2, 2017
Theresa "Marie" Fontyn, 86, of Ridgefield, WA, passed away on Sunday, April 2 from complications of COPD. She was born in Edson, Alberta, Canada on May 15, 1930 and spent her childhood on a farm in Carrot Creek that her parents were homesteading. When Marie was 10, the family moved to NE Portland, OR. She attended Portland schools and graduated in 1949 from Jefferson High School.
While skiing on Mt. Hood with friends, Marie met Corn and they were married 3 years later. They moved to Ridgefield where they bought acreage and raised their six children. They became involved with St. Mary Church, where they made many lifelong friends.
In the summers, she picked berries and beans with her kids and became field boss at Jones' Bean Yard. Later, Marie went to work for Yard 'N Garden Land, where she spent 28 years in nursery sales. She raised her own bedding plants in her greenhouse, and their yard was always immaculate and admired by all who passed by.
Marie was a very talented seamstress, having made her own wedding dress, as well as wedding dresses for each of her daughters, granddaughter Traci, and others. In the 1980's, she started a tradition of making flannel shirts for Corn and her boys for Christmas. Soon her "shirt list" grew to as many as 15 each year, estimating that she had made at least 500 shirts over the years. Marie was also known for her homemade apple pies and huckleberry cheesecakes.
Marie was an avid Seahawks and Russell Wilson fan, and she also enjoyed playing video poker and slot machines. Corn and Marie also enjoyed traveling, going on cruises and spending time with her family and friends at their cabin on the East Fork of the Lewis River. Most of all, she liked to laugh and enjoyed the practical jokes and shenanigans of her family.
Marie is survived by her husband, Cornelius at home; sons, Edward (Nancy), Dennis, and Tom (Debbie); daughters, Geni Fontyn (Chris), Mary Bee Eavenson (Curtis), and Jodi McKinney (Jim); "adopted" son, Dieter Sherman; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; sister, Patricia Hines of Vancouver, WA; and brother, James Stewart Irwin of Tillamook, OR.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William "Gene" and Charlotte Irwin; and her brother, Floyd Irwin.
A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, April 21 at 11:00 at St. Mary of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Ridgefield, WA, with a reception following in the parish hall.
Please sign her guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
My prayers n thoughts go out to the family. Mom will be missed by all that new her. My heart holds many good memories of Marie that I shall share with her grandchildren n great grandchildren to enjoy the memories as I do. Rest in peace Marie !!!
My condolences
Karen Fontyn
Karen Fontyn
April 9, 2017
Rest in peace Marie pleasure to have met you.
Louie Flores
April 9, 2017
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