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MARILYNE VANDIVER Obituary


Marilyne L. Vandiver passed away peacefully at her home on January 31, 2011, after battling cancer as she tackled all the challenges that she faced in her life, with toughness and determination. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 45 years, Gary Vandiver, her children Dirk Vandiver and Jenny Talbert and her granddaughter, Caitlin L. Talbert. You could always count on Marilyne for good advice, support and a never ending supply of love when you needed it most. Marilyne was a lady who didn't mince words, told it like it was and when she set her mind to something don't stand in her way.

Marilyne was raised in Los Altos, CA. She met Gary in 1965 and they were married in May 1966. Gary's job moved them from California to Chicago, Denver, and Rochester, MN. In 1976, Gary, Marilyne and the family moved to a small 2-room cabin in the Blue Mountains of Idaho while working to find a business of their own. Marilyne and Gary moved to Richland in 1977, where they settled down and purchased Ballard Storage & Transfer in Richland. Marilyne was the vice-president, co-owner and backbone of the business that she loved, people knew that if Marilyne said the job would get done, it was done and it was done right.

Marilyne was the first woman elected President of the Washington Movers Conference since it's beginning in 1913. She was also elected President of the Tri-City Transportation Club.

Marilyne was an avid gardener and loved spending time 'working in the dirt!'

She will be greatly missed by her family, her friends and the many business associates she met through the years.

Please help the family celebrate her life by joining us on Saturday, February 12th, at the Meadow Springs Country Club between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

As we sadly wave farewell, I'm sure Marilyne will be riding off on the final journey in her convertible with the top down, the wind in her hair and a smile on her face.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tri-City Herald from Feb. 9 to Feb. 11, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for MARILYNE VANDIVER

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2 Entries

February 18, 2011

We are sorry to learn of Marilyne passing away. She did so much to make people's lives better.
Dick and Diane Carstens

Jay Fuson

February 14, 2011

Marilyne was one of the first individuals I met in the Atlas Van Lines system in the early 1980's. It was her wit, willingness to help, along with her can do spirit that I will remember.

From a young guy from Indiana Marilyne's spirit will always live...

Jay Fuson

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