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301 E McLoughlin Blvd. Suite E
Vancouver, Washington
MARILYN JAMES
September 23, 1922 ~ August 30, 2016
~ One Sweet Lady ~
A fiery redhead in perpetual motion, Marilyn James, known as "Sam" to her friends, lived a full and active life. A volunteer at the Vancouver Veteran's Hospital for 35 years and an active member of the Eagles for 30 years, she also earned a 45-year volunteer pin for the American Red Cross. If she wasn't tending to her own garden-paying special attention to her zinnias-she was helping out a the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens. Not only was Marilyn generous with her time, she also made yearly monetary contributions to the Southwest Community Foundation, Nature Conservancy and the Disabled Veterans National Foundation.
Born on September 23rd, 1922 to Mabel and Andrew Ritter, Marilyn was raised in Ohio and graduated from Bay Village High School in 1941. Soon after, with the U.S. entry into WWII, she joined the ranks of civil servant clerks, working for the United States Air Force at Wright Field in Dayton, OH.
Several years later on a road trip to California with her mother, Marilyn met her future husband, Jack James, who had made a bet with his buddy to marry the first red head he met…the rest is history. Marilyn and Jack were married for 49 years, until Marilyn was widowed in 1997. They moved out west and settled in Vancouver, WA in 1961, where they raised their two sons, Richard and Donald, and Jack set up his own art studio.
Delighting in the people around her, Marilyn always kept in touch with friends and loved ones and never forgot to send a birthday card, and in turn, liked to receive post cards from around the world.
If a visitor stopped by, they were always
greeted with a smile and a twinkle in her eye
and offered a cookie or chocolate.
Marilyn loved watching the multitude of birds out her window whom she supplied with seeds and could identify them all by species. This only occasionally conflicted with her love of cats, as she was rarely without a feline companion. Vivacious and sunny, she would banish any unpleasantness with her often heard quote, "that's for the birds." Marilyn could always be counted on for a game of Yahtzee, Fill-or-Bust, or if the weather was nice, croquet.
Marilyn passed away peacefully on Aug. 30th, 2016 and is survived by her two sons, Richard and Donald James, three grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Forever loved and greatly missed,
her spirit lives on in all of those she touched.
A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor on Sat., Sept. 17th, 1p.m., at 1400 NE 48th Street. Please bring a favorite dish to share.
Please sign her guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
When I see a beautiful flower I will always think of Marilyn and her beautiful garden that she loved so much. She was always so kind and generous to everyone.
Garlene Morris
September 14, 2016
My dearest Beautiful Lady..You were the light shining bright in so many lives!..mine.. David and your Grandson especially! We Love you so much!..and We already miss you terribly! I've always promised you Happy tears only! For knowing that like Rose and Jack from the movie Titanic..you are back with your Jack! More beautiful then ever and in his arms dancing the fox trot! Dance on Beautiful Lady!❤❤❤
Rhonda and David
September 5, 2016
James Family,
Sending my deepest sympathies. May your memories of Marilyn make you smile in the days ahead.
Thinking of you,
Amy sawyer
Amy Sawyer
September 4, 2016
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