Marvel Abercrombie Obituary (1926

Marvel Abercrombie 88, a Gig Harbor resident for the past three years, died November 24, 2014. Marvel was born in Braddyville, Iowa to H Edgar and G Ione Townsend. She spend her early years on a farm living close to her aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents whom she became very close to. Her lifelong love of cats started with the many she had on the farm. She also developed her love for gardening at a young age when her father would create growing shelves near the window so she could over winter her plants. Her summers were spent learning crafts from her aunts and playing tennis with a close friend. Later she joined 4H where she learned to sew, making clothes for herself and her dolls. As a young teenager her family moved to Brush and then Loveland, Colorado. She became involved in the school band playing the clarinet. She also was active in her church youth group. Her love for plants thrived as the apartment manager allowed her to plant her flowers in the gardens on their property. She also spent many hours listening to her favorite radio programs with her friends. It was here that she got her first job as a waitress at the Blue Bell Cafe. At this time waitresses also cooked the hamburgers, washed the dishes, and made the pie fillings. During her junior year WWII broke out. Her father received extra gas from the Rationing Board and they moved to Vancouver, Washington. That summer she worked at the cannery canning pears for the Army. During her senior year she met Jean and they became lifelong best friends along with their husbands. Marvel graduated from Vancouver High School June, 1944. Shortly after she went to work locally at the Kaiser Shipyard in the Cost Department as a typist. Two years later she met the love of her life Joel Abercrombie on the front steps of her parents house. They were married on June 21, 1947. They moved to Astoria, Oregon where Joel was stationed with the Navy. They saw every new movie release since the theater and listening to the radio was the only entertainment. Following Joels discharge from the Navy they moved to Portland, Oregon where Marvel spent most of her adult life. In their first house Marvel canned all the fruits from their garden and fruit trees filling their cupboards with home canned food. They started attending Fremont United Methodist Church and were active in the Epworthians, a young couples group. They developed lifelong friendships with many of these families. Later when Marvel moved to Fairview she attended Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church. Marvel was a homemaker devoted to her children. When they started school she became active in the PTA. She was a charter member of the Joseph Meek PTA holding several offices. When her children attended Rigler Elementary she again was active holding several offices including president. During these years she enjoyed summer day hiking and winter snow tobogganing with her family at Snow Bunny Lodge on Mt Hood. Marvel was a life member of Eastern Star Ch #115. Again, she became very involved and held many offices including Worthy Matron. She was also active at the Grand Chapter level. Marvel also enjoyed camping with her family and friends. They spent many vacations camping and fishing at the central Oregon lakes, usually East Lake, Diamond Lake, or Prineville Reservoir. After the children left home the trips became more extensive. She and Joel spent seven months traveling all 48 contiguous states in their RV. Other travels took them to all 50 states, Europe and Panama. Three years ago she went with family to see the Empire State Building in NYC; a lifelong dream. A few years after Joels death she moved to Peninsula Retirement community in Gig Harbor, WA to be near her daughter. She enjoyed playing cards, reading, being with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and spending time with her new found friend Kathryn. Marvel attended St. Johns Episcopal Church with her daughters family. Marvel is survived by her daughter Linda Broun (Mike) Port Orchard, WA; Craig Abercrombie (Judy) St Helens, OR; four granddaughters and 5 great-grandchildren, as well as Sophie, her companion cat. Her husband Joel, one granddaughter and one great-granddaughter preceded her in death. Funeral services will be held Friday December 5, 2014 at St Johns Episcopal Church Gig Harbor at 2pm. Remembrances may be made to St Johns Episcopal Church, 7701 Skansie Ave, Gig Harbor, WA 98335