Marjorie Virginia Mundy

Marjorie Virginia Mundy passed away peacefully on Sunday February 21, 2010, with loved ones at her bedside, at Coolidge House in Ephrata.

She was born Marjorie Virginia Pearson, in Olympia, Washington on September 3, 1917 to Charles E. and Agnes (Stenerson) Pearson. She completed studies through the Olympia school system, attending Garfield Elementary and graduating from Olympia High School in 1936.

After her schooling, Marj worked in various positions in local and state government, including administrative assistant to then Attorney General Smith Troy. As state chair of Young Democrats, Marj made many friendships that lasted decades. She became very active in Democratic party politics and moved to Washington D.C. for several years to act as administrative assistant to then Congressman Don Magnuson. Her work also included an influential position in which she reported directly to Joe Davis, who was then President of the Washington State Labor Council.

During her participation with the Democratic party, Marj was introduced to E. Roy Mundy, then a Washington State legislator from Grant County. Marj and Roy were married in Seattle, Washington in 1956. Marj obtained her Realtor’s license and worked side by side with Roy at Mundy Realty in Ephrata, Washington where they made their home and lived together until Roy’s passing in 1989. Roy was an amateur historian, and from his collections (after his passing), Marj made a generous donation of valuable documents to Washington State University. The University reciprocated and bestowed an honorary degree upon Marj.

Marj adored her home and her family. She loved gardening and was an exquisite cook and hostess. She made the most of her adventurous spirit and loved to travel. She especially loved Thailand. She and Roy often traveled by freighter and visited numerous places in Asia, South and Central America - as well as many United States destinations. She was an avid and excellent golfer, could practically play bridge in her sleep, and was a real competitor. Marj also loved beauty, and took pride in her appearance and stylish wardrobe. She also became adept at painting in oil and watercolors on her many trips to Hawaii.

Heading many committee positions over the years, Marj was an active volunteer within her community and through the United Methodist Church of Ephrata. She took quiet satisfaction in her volunteer work, including presiding over the Columbia Basin Hospital Auxiliary, a Children’s Hospital guild, and a committee in her church.

Respected by all who knew her, Marj had the unique ability to draw people out in conversation. She was a patient and active listener, and she possessed an impressive memory, which was the source of countless conversations involving politics and family history. She was the last survivor of her siblings, including three brothers, Charles Pearson, Raymond Pearson and Wesley Pearson, and a sister, Ethel Clees Parrott. Though she had no children of her own, she took an active and generous interest in her siblings’ children and grandchildren.

Survivors include nephews David (Penny) Clees of Seattle, and their daughter, Kelyn; John (Susan) Clees of Olympia, and their daughters, Calli and Angie; Raymond (Diane) Pearson of Poulsbo, and their daughter Tiffany, and son Raymond Jr.; niece Margie (Jeff) Vest of Shoreview, Minnesota and their daughter Amy and sons Ryan and Eric; sister in-law Ruth (Wesley) Pearson of Bloomington, Minnesota.

Marj cherished each day of life and enjoyed her final months living at Coolidge House in Ephrata, where she was loved and became part of the family. Her family requests that any memorial donations in Marj’s name be made to the United Methodist Church of Ephrata, or to the Red Cross relief fund for Haiti.

A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church of Ephrata, 117 C St NW, on March 6th at 11 a.m., followed by lunch in the church’s social hall.