She was born in Biddeford, York, Maine on October 3, 1926, a daughter of Joseph Arthur and Yvonne Marie Richard Gagnon, and was educated in Biddeford schools.
On April 3, 1948, she married Donald Everett Sayward in Wells, Maine. As a young woman, Marie worked for Pepperell Manufacturing mills in Biddeford. As her family started growing, she lived in many places across the United States. Her first three children were born in Biddeford, ME; the next two in Portsmouth, NH; one in Providence, RI, and the last in Putnam, CT. In the mid-1960’s, Marie and her family moved to Washington State. With her children in school, Marie went to work as a maid for the Governor’s House in Olympia, WA. For more than 20 years, she was a familiar face on the top floor of the upscale Hotel. When she retired they named a suite for her “Sweet Marie.”
The traveling bug was in Marie’s blood – she loved the many places she lived and traveled. She made many trips back to her roots on the East Coast, and spent seven Christmas’s with her daughter, Susan in Phoenix, AZ, as well as visiting her daughters, Carol and Betty in Oregon. Marie was a long time member of the Olympia Eagles FOE #21 and Grandmother of the Club House. She enjoyed the many opportunities of travel involved with the club with her daughters, Donna and Chere. She served as Madam President of the Auxiliary from 1978-1979 and 1982-1983, and held many other offices in the organization. One of Marie’s hobbies was Canvas Knitting. She made many unique and treasured gifts: Doll houses, & furniture, tic tac toe games, Christmas ornaments and door hangings for her family, friends, and many items sold at bazaars and craft fairs for charity.
Marie was predeceased by: her father, Arthur in 1958, her mother, Yvonne in 1998, her sister Therese Hatt in 2008, her daughter, Sandra Whitaker in 2010, five sons in law, Dennis Lakey in 1999, Rudy Whitaker in 2005, Larry Slenker Sr in 2008, Edward Howdeshell Jr in 2010 and William Nicholas Ewing Sr in 2016; a daughter in law, Starla Dee Ellis Sayward in 2005; two grandsons, Steven J Lakey Jr in 2011, Thomas L Newhall in 2000, and a great grandson, Beau David Cloud in 2008.
Surviving are her husband, Donald Sayward of Olympia, WA; one son, Raymond Sayward (Betty Jo) of Olympia, WA; five daughters, Donna Ewing of Tumwater, WA, Carol Mullins (and her husband, Vern) of Warrenton, OR, Susan Davey (and her husband, Jack) of Phoenix, AZ, Chere Cline (and her husband, Bobby) of Centralia, WA, Betty Cloud (and her husband, David) of Springfield, OR; a daughter in law, Carol Chatwood Sayward of Olympia, WA; seven sons in law, Eugene Hegel and Wayne Rushforth of Olympia, WA, Steven J Lakey Sr of California, Martin M Bue of Oregon, Richard T Newhall of Washington and Charles C Fore Jr of Washington; a brother, Joseph A. (Roland) Gagnon of Bristol, CT; eleven grandchildren: Curtis (Jennifer), Corey (David), Kathleen, Lisa (Chad), Melody, Larry, David (Angela), Catrina (Tim), Shane, Brenda (Bryan) & Jason (Carly); nineteen great grandchildren: Sarah, Matthew, Briana (Russell), Jessica, Cheri (Chris), Evan, Ryleigh, Ryder, Alexis, CaSandra (Derek), Kyle (Britt), Payton, Braxton, Brittny (Will), Stefany, Dani, Joshua, Hunter and Gaige; four great great granddaughters, Savanna Jane, Alexa Grace, Hailey and Temperance Michelle, and twin boys due in 2018; numerous step grandchildren and step great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, and nephews, and grand nieces and grand nephews.
Burial will be in Mills & Mills Memorial Park, Tumwater, Thurston, Washington.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18