Marjorie June Atwood

Marjorie June "Marge" Atwood, 86, a Wenatchee resident and former longtime Tri Cities resident, passed away on Sunday, December 8, 2013 at Senior Haven Adult Home in Wenatchee. She was born on March 8, 1927 at Yakima, Washington to the late Henry and Hortence May (VanVolkenburg) Smith. She was raised in Yakima and educated in the Yakima School Systems. She graduated from high school in Yakima. She met and was later married to Ralph Ferdinand Merkt in Yakima. They made their home in the Terrace Heights area of Yakima. After many years and following the demise of this union, she met and was married to Keith Henry Atwood. They made their first home in Benton City, Washington and during the mid 1980's, they moved into Richland. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Atwood in April of 2000. She later moved to the Columbia Boulevard Apartments near to the Columbia Center in Kennewick. Later, she moved to the Riverton Retirement and Assisted Living in Kennewick. Prior to moving to Wenatchee in March of this year, she had made her home in an adult family home in the West Pasco area. Marge enjoyed family gatherings and being with her kids. She enjoyed travelling in their motorhome with her husband. They often traveled up to four or five months at a time. They focused their travels on the Yellowstone and up through Western Canada areas as well as many others. She is survived by six children and their spouses, Ellen Ann ( Leland) Leingang, Kennewick, WA, Vincent Michael (Renee) Merkt, Benton City, WA, Julie Marie (James) Downey, Benton City, WA, Holly Theresa (Steven) Davis, Richland, WA, Christopher "Chris" (Carin) Markt, Gig Harbor, WA and Angeline Carol Lindsay, Walla Walla, WA; one brother and sister-in-law, James and (Mary Ann) Smith Selah, WA; two sisters, Frances Fine of Pennsylvania and Sarah Beechum, Auburn, WA; 16 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Henry Atwood in April of 2000 and one brother, Robert Smith. A Remembrance Gathering is being planned to be held on her birthday, March 8th of 2014, in the Tri Cities. Friends are invited to visit her tribute online and leave a memory at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.

Marjorie June Atwood

March 8, 1927 - December 8, 2013