Marion Winter O'Donnell

Marion Winter O'Donnell was born to Henry and Nana Winter on September 21, 1937 in Eufaula, AL and died July 4, 2020 in Vancouver, WA at the age of 82. Marion grew up on a small farm and loved riding horses, something she enjoyed into her adulthood with her daughters. She sang in the school choir and will always be remembered for her beautiful singing voice. She graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1955 and attended Seattle Pacific University. After college, Marion was a secretary for Fredrick's of Nelson and worked on the top floor of the Smith Tower (the tallest building at the time) in downtown Seattle. She eventually moved to Vancouver and raised her three daughters; Lynnae, Tamara, and Teresa. Marion was a Teacher's Aide for many years in the Vancouver School District but her favorite job, as she described it, was being a Domestic Engineer. She poured herself into being a mother and was very involved in her girls' activities, taking pride in never missing an event. One time, she cut her Hawaii vacation short and flew home to see her daughter in the Fort Vancouver High School homecoming court. She was a gracious hostess with the gift of hospitality. Everyone was welcome in her home. Her mantra was, the more the merrier. Life was a party and Marion wasn't going to miss a single one. She was always gathering family and friends together to celebrate a birthday or a holiday. Marion never knew a stranger; she would extend kindness and carry on a conversation with anyone. Her daughters teased her, saying she should be a tour guide, which she was "unofficially" when she worked one season at the Yellowstone Gift Shop. Marion had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and accepted him as her personal Lord and Savior at the young age of 4. She attended Brush Prairie Baptist Church throughout her childhood and Vancouver Church for 40 years, singing in the choir and Singing Christmas Tree. Some of her best friends were made through her church community. In 1996, she reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Jack O'Donnell and they enjoyed 24 years of marriage. They were snowbirds for most of their marriage, traveling to Palm Springs every winter. Preceding her death were her father and mother, Henry Adolf Winter and Nana Marion Winter, her brother, Walter Bland, and her granddaughter, Samantha Nana Middlebrooks. Marion left behind a brother, Rufus Winters, three daughters, Lynnae Lovs, Tamara Kerr and Teresa (Josh) Bates, two step-sons, Jay O'Donnell and Kevin O'Donnell, five grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. Just like her father, Marion had a zest for life. It is no coincidence that Marion passed away on the 4th of July. The party in heaven is a little more fun now that Marion is there. A special thanks to Green Haven Home Care for the excellent care they provided. Information will follow for the Celebration of Life service in the coming months.

Marion Winter O'Donnell

September 21, 1937 - July 4, 2020