Passed away peacefully in Seattle on May 17, 2022, surrounded by her children. She was born in Seattle on December 16, 1927 to Thomas and Marie Blyth. She lived her entire life in Seattle. Marie was raised in West Seattle. She loved swimming and was the women's backstroke champion of Seattle. She also swam for the Washington Athletic Club, and was one of the first women lifeguards at Colman Pool. She and her two friends Arlene and Jean started the first form of synchronized swimming in Seattle. They even performed for the opening of Colman Pool. Marie helped to coach the Queen Anne High School swim team at Ballard Pool and while there she started the first water exercise classes for the Seattle Park Department.
Marie also worked for the Seattle Public Schools Special Education Department, once again in the water, providing water therapy to their students working closely with their therapy staff. During the summer, she also taught swimming to numerous children in local Magnolia neighborhood swimming pools for many years. Eventually, Marie got out of the water and started a long career as a travel agent. Traveling became a life long passion. She led many travel tours mainly in Russia. She then became a cruise specialist and traveled on over 70 cruises. She was able to travel with her husband John to all the continents of the world. In spite of traveling extensively, her favorite place was Maui. She and John spent a month there each year for over 30 years. Marie and John also enjoyed boating. They traveled everywhere and as often as they could on their yacht the Vakre Mari for "Beautiful Marie." They particularly loved sailing in the San Juan Islands and over to Poulsbo.
After graduating from West Seattle High School, she met Jack Kaufmann while ice skating at the Seattle Center Ice Arena. They married and had three children Sandra, Gary, and Debra. They made their home in the Magnolia neighborhood. Jack passed away unexpectedly in 1968. She met John Tennesen while dancing at the International Schooner in Ballard. They were together for many years and finally married on their beloved island of Maui in 2011. John passed away in 2019. She was very proud that both of her husbands were Seattle Fire Fighters. Marie and John moved into Ida Culver House Broadview in 2015 where she made many friends. She loved Trivia, crossword puzzles, reading, the Seahawks, and Happy Hours!
Marie is survived by her children Sandra Kaufmann, Gary Kaufmann (Allison), and Debra McMurray (Brian); her brother Thomas Fruichantie (Sylvia); her grandchildren Kristoffer and Arne Rodal, Justin and Nicole Kaufmann, Chris Hampel (Cathy), Lucas McMurray (Meghan), and David McMurray (Megan Odegard); and her great-grandchildren Jackson and Everly Hampel, Owen and Nora McMurray, and Callum, Ronan, and Isla McMurray.
Funeral Service to be held Saturday, June 4 at 11:00AM (visitation at 10:00AM); Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home Chapel 11111 Aurora Ave N. Seattle; committal, Washelli Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Medic One Foundation or to a foundation or charity of your choice.
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