Marie Catherine Rand Lyons Walsh

Born at the family home in Cosmopolis, Washington, on April 18, 1926, Marie Catherine was the youngest of 10 children born to Frederick William Rand and Maude Agnes Galigan Rand. (In 1975, when applying for a passport, Marie first learned that she had been named Joan Marie at birth, but her parents seem to have changed their mind and decided they liked Marie Catherine. It was only after an affidavit from her sister Margaret Murphy that she was able to have Marie Catherine recognized as her legal name).

Marie grew up in Aberdeen, Washington, graduating from Weatherwax High School in 1944. She married her childhood sweetheart, Forrest Ward (“Skeet”) Lyons, on March 22, 1944 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen. Skeet, a 1943 graduate of Weatherwax High, and a Private in the United States Army at the time, was deployed to Germany shortly thereafter, and remained there for the duration of World War II. During that time, Marie moved to California where she lived with her eldest sister Margaret and brother-in-law Lloyd M. Murphy and their sons Michael and Edward. While there, she was employed by Standard Oil Company in Richmond, California.

Upon Skeet’s return from the War, the couple remained in California, living in El Cerrito, where their first child, Allen Ward Lyons, was born at nearby Richmond Hospital. Nine months later they returned to Aberdeen where their two other sons, Steven Fredrick Lyons and Forrest Mark Lyons, were born. In addition to raising her children, Marie worked as a cook at Weatherwax High School, and later as a medical assistant for John Korvell, M.D. She loved family gatherings at home or picnics at Lake Sylvia, and playing card games with her dad, family members, and neighbors. She and Skeet enjoyed square dancing, boating with the family in the runabout Skeet built, and their times on the Satsop River at the A-Frame of Lyle and Ethyl Easterly.

After Skeet’s death in 1974, Marie moved to Portland, Oregon, near nephew Robert Dubay, his wife Murlene, and their three children, Doug, Dan, and Diane. There she again was employed as a medical assistant and receptionist until suffering a disabling injury in 1986.

In 1983, Marie met Robert T. (Bob) Walsh through Beginning Experience, a support program for those widowed, separated, or divorced. They were married May 26, 1984, at St. Claire’s Catholic Church. Together they continued working with Beginning Experience as leaders, sharing their story of struggling through the loss of a spouse and offering hope and encouragement to others. They enjoyed going on cruises, and Marie loved putting on fancy get-togethers for family and friends. Throughout her life she made many doll cakes and lots of fun things for showers and birthdays. She sewed baby quilts and knitted afghans for the grandkids and great grandkids. She loved decorating her home for the holidays.

After Bob’s death on October 1, 1995, Marie moved to King City, Oregon, where she made many close friends, and especially enjoyed her card clubs.

In 2011, she moved to The Springs at Tanasbourne Independent Living, and eventually to the assisted living residences there. In July 2015, she moved to assisted living at Touchmark in Vancouver, Washington, near step-daughter Sharon Hinman.

On September 19, 2015, she entered Peace Health Southwest Washington Medical Center following a major intracerebral bleed, and on September 25, 2015, at the age of 89, Marie was welcomed into the arms of her Lord, and passed peacefully from this life at Ray Hickey Hospice House.

Marie is survived by her children and step-children: Allen Lyons (Marsha), Steven Lyons, Forrest M. (“Skeet”) Lyons (Debbie), Mary Greisen (Mike), Sharon Hinman (Rick), Susan McInness (Mike), Jane Blake, Robert T. Walsh, Jr. (Jackie), Richard Walsh, and Bill Walsh;

And by her grandchildren: Of Allen and Marsha: Jessica Hardcastle (Patrick), Suzanne Colvin (Brent), Nate Lyons (Lindsey), Karen Geis (Capt. Joshua); Of Steve: Christopher Lyons (Kristen), Matthew Lyons (Misty), Stephanie Lyons; Of Forrest and Deb: Kyla Van Voorst (Timothy), Mark Lyons (Chelle); Of Mary and Mike: Jessica Greisen, Steven Greisen (Megan), Katie Korte (Matt), Robert Greisen; Of Susie and Mike: Michelle and Mathew McInness; Of Jane: Aaron and Danny Blake; Of Bob and Jackie: Brian, Benjamin, Chelsea, and Nicholas Walsh; Of Rich: Samantha (engaged to marry AJ Klausen October 10, 2015), Michael, Kevin Walsh, and foster granddaughter Kim Valdez; Of Bill: Caitlin, Patrick, and Brenna Walsh;

And by her great-grandchildren: Of Karen and Josh: Elizabeth Lyons-Best, Theresa, Lucia, and Camilla Geis; Of Jessica and Partrick: August and Indiana Hardcastle; Of Nate and Lindsey: Bennett and Molly Lyons; Of Chris: Todd Lyons; Of Matt and Misty: Anthony, Emily, Layne, and Dallas Lyons; Of Stephanie: Corbin Lyons; Of Kyla and Timo: William, Hollyn and Reagan Van Voorst; Of Mark and Chelle: Phillip Lyons; Of Steven and Megan: Owen and Natalie Greisen

And by her great- great-grandson (of Anthony), Kayden Lyons.

She is also survived by her sister Helen Hamann of Canoga Park, California; her sister-in-law Wanda Rand of Deerfield Beach, Florida; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

A funeral Mass will be offered Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 2:00 p.m., at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 3123 NE 24th Avenue, Portland, OR 97212. A reception will follow.