Margie Mae Coleman

Margie Mae Coleman passed away May 15, 2008 at Harborview Hospital after a valiant attempt to recover from a severe head injury. She was born on Flag Day, June 14, 1917 in Thornburg, Iowa. She moved with her parents at age four to Clayton, Washington, a small farming community north of Spokane. Her lifelong memories of her upbringing on "the ranch" were wonderfully evocative of a prior era. Margie and her parents choose to have her attend high school at Hayward High in Hayward, California, where she lived with an uncle and aunt. After graduating, she returned to the Spokane area to attend Kinman Business University. It was there that she met smart, handsome Bill Coleman, who became her husband of almost 60 years. Shortly after their marriage and early in WWII, they moved to Seattle. Over the next six decades, her busy life included raising three children, working full or part time as a skilled secretary, and actively volunteering for PTA, Camp Fire and church groups. She was an accomplished cook, famous for her cinnamon rolls and creating great meals on the family's camping trips. She even won the family's first microwave oven in a recipe contest. Margie and Bill's home was always open to their childrens' friends, and was the site of much love and laughter, many card and word games and delicious meals. After retiring from Northshore School District, where she had served as an elementary school secretary for twenty years, Margie sold real estate, which she enjoyed doing for several years. Bill finally convinced her to truly retire and spend more time at their lake home near Shelton. Her beloved Bill passed away in 2000, and shortly after she moved to Camano Island, where she lived with her daughter Marcia and family. Her life on Camano introduced her to new friends and activities, which she continued to enjoy for the remainder of her life. Her joy and pride in her family was evident daily, and her optimistic, loving nature made her a pleasure to all. Margie was preceded in death by her husband William Coleman, as well as her three younger brothers. She leaves behind an extensive family and group of dear friends who will miss her always. She is survived by her three children and their spouses, Coleen and Norman Anderson, Marcia and Jim Cline, Bill Jr. and Elaine Coleman, as well as grandchildren Jonas and Amy Cline, Tyler and On-anong Cline, Kelsey Cline and Bonnie Rose Coleman, and great grandchildren Cyrus Cline and Jenny Cline, extended family Fyl, Debbie, Jill and Katie Chamberland, and special friend and caregiver, Donna Levetsovitis. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 22nd at Abbey View Memorial Park, 3601 Alaska Road, Brier. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 23, at Camano Lutheran Church, Hwy 532 at Heichel Road, Camano Island. Remembrances can be made to University Presbyterian Church or Camano Lutheran Church, or the charity of your choice.