Marjorie A. Lamb

September 5, 1917 to February 11, 2015

Mom was born in Des Moines, Iowa to Fred and Clarice Hill. She was ten years older than her sister, Shirley. She loved school and felt that the beginning of school each year was like a birthday present. She graduated from Rockford (IL) High School and was a member of the National Honor Society.

She met the love of her life, Harold Lamb in Rockford and they were married on May 3rd, 1940. During the war, Harold worked at the Testor's Cement plant. Marjorie worked for the Bell Telephone Company, first as a switchboard operator and later as a supervisor.

She missed her parents terribly when they moved out West and Mom and Dad gave up their new furniture and followed them to Arlington, Oregon. A family story relates that they bought a small gas station and a four stool café the day they arrived. For additional income, Mom took in ironing in the back room of the café. They made many friends and the day she fainted, the word went around town that Mom was pregnant. Her only child Jim, was born in Portland in 1947.

Harold took a job as a route salesman for the Boyd's Coffee Company and was one of their best salesmen. So good, in fact, that they were transferred to Spokane, Ephrata and Yakima to build new routes. They came to Yakima in 1955 and found it a perfect place to settle down. When the next transfer was offered, they decided to stay in Yakima where Dad entered the insurance business. Dad became an Allstate agent working the booth inside the Sears store (on 3rd Street) and Mom became a switchboard operator in the same store. She later worked in the Accounting office at Sears.

Dad was recruited to join the Farmer's Insurance agency owned by Don Jewett and later opened his own office where Mom and Dad worked side by side for over 20 years.

They made many friends in Yakima and were active in the Eagles Aerie where Dad served as President in 1973. Mom has continued to be active in the Ladies Auxiliary serving as Auditor until shortly before her death. They also were bowlers and loved to play bridge. Mom bowled in her last tournament at age 82.

When they moved to South 29th Avenue in 1956 they became fast friends with their neighbors, Paul and Evelyn Holt. Mom and Evelyn's friendship continued for nearly 60 years.

After Dad's death in 1987, Mom enjoyed travelling and worked part-time in the Farmer's Insurance offices of Bob Erskine and Gerry McGree. She continued to draw W2 income until she was 95. She also worked part-time in the office of Central Lutheran Church for over 20 years alongside her good friend Joyce Rikerd. Her last day of work was Christmas Eve, six weeks ago.

Her life has been enriched by her nearly 60 years of membership at Central Lutheran Church. The blessings of her church family and the wonderful friendships that she has made at church and throughout the community were appreciated by her and by all of us.

Our family is very thankful for the compassionate and professional care that she received from Dr. Vicki Jones, nurse Joyce and the staff at North Star Lodge. We know that they gave their very best to cure her illness.

Mom is survived by her sister Shirley (Jim) Lunstrum, son James (Jean), grandsons James (Lori), Jeff (Hillary) and 5 3/4 great grandchildren, nephew Jay, and nieces Nancy and Janet (Mike) and families.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Central Lutheran Church on Friday, March 6th at 10:30 am with reception to follow.

Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be made to two of Mom's favorite causes:

Central Lutheran Church for their "On the Corner" after school program serving students from local schools, 1601 W Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902.

or the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital, in care of Carol Hunt, Fraternal Order of the Eagles, 302 W. Chestnut, Yakima, WA 98902.