Geraldine "Gerry" H. Marshall

November 26, 1922- May 22, 2011

Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, Geraldine Hope (Fulkerth) Marshall (Gerry), peacefully passed away at Panorama City in Lacey, Washington on May 22, 2011, surrounded by her loving family, at the age of 88. Gerry was born in Pullman, Washington on November 26, 1922. There, she attended high school, met her husband, G. Eldon Marshall, and graduated from Washington State College (University) in 1944 with a B.A. in English. She was a member of the Sigma Tau chapter of the Kappa Delta sorority.

Gerry and Eldon married on September 25, 1944. They moved to Seattle after Eldon finished his military service, eventually settling in Olympia in 1950. Gerry worked at the Washington Department of Social and Health Services for 10 years, and dedicated hours of volunteer service to a number of organizations including the YWCA and the UMW Methodist Church. She was also an active member of PEO.

Gerry most loved spending time with her family, saying “things are never as important as the people you love.” She also enjoyed social activities including bridge and golfing, and displayed a creative side through quilting, knitting, sewing, gardening and collecting. Gerry kept her analytic mind sharp with a passion for genealogy, crossword puzzles and writing.

Gerry leaves behind her husband of 67 years, Eldon Marshall, and four children: Steven Marshall (Mercer Island), Anne O’Rourke (Olympia), Susan Swenson (Tacoma) and Scott Marshall (Seattle) and their spouses and children. Gerry cherished her large family, including her 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Gerry said that being a Granny was “one of the best things that has happened to me in my life.”

Gerry was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Clora Fulkerth, and by her sister, Shirley (Fulkerth) Wastell.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 on June 4, 2011 at the United Methodist Church in Olympia, 1224 Legion Way Southeast. In lieu of flowers, donations to the First United Methodist Church in Olympia and PEO Chapter DC local scholarship fund would be appreciated.

Friends and family are invited to read more, view pictures and share memories at www.eldonmarshallfamily.blogspot.com.

Arrangements under the direction of Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park, Tumwater, WA.