MARJORIE A. MARTEL

March 25, 1929 ~ August 27, 2022

Marjorie A. Martel, age 93, died on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022 in Vancouver, WA. She was born in Walla Walla, WA to Rocky and Madeline Calabrese. She was the third generation of her family in Walla Walla-her maternal grandparents (Mele's and Curcio's) having emigrated to Walla Walla from Calabria, IT and her father from Bari, IT.

In Walla Walla, Marjorie graduated from St. Patrick's High School and St. Mary's School of Nursing, Class of 1950. She helped deliver many babies as an obstetrical nurse at St. Mary's Hospital until she caught the eye of a handsome Whitman student, Eurgel Martel. They were married in 1952 and raised four children. They would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this Fall. Marjorie became the receptionist at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vancouver-a service she was devoted to for nearly five decades. Church calls after hours went to her home for many years where she compassionately found help for all those in need. Because of her deep faith she had many years of service to others: to five parish priests; starting and running the church's gift giving for children; as a board member of St. Vincent de Paul; and countless hours supporting St. Joseph Catholic School and the Bravo Vancouver concert series. Marjorie had a special gift of knowing how to console those who were passing and their families and often helped them through the process. Her kitchen was flooded on her birthdays with flowers and chocolates from those who appreciated her assistance and knew her weakness for all-things chocolate.

Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved sister Mary. She is survived by her husband, Eurgel; sons, David, Douglas, Mark (Karen); and daughter, Paula (Scott); grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She rarely missed their football, softball and tennis games. Her family is comforted by the feeling that an angel has earned her wings. We are likely to see her next when we approach St. Peter's Gate, where we expect she will be happily checking the spelling of the names on his lists.

On Thursday, Sept. 8th a Rosary at 10 a.m. and Memorial Mass at 11 a.m. will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vancouver. Memorials may be made in Marjorie's name to St. Vincent de Paul ( svdpvancouverusa.org ).

The Martel family would like to extend our gratitude to all the staff at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center as well as her home caregivers for their loving care.