Audrey Mae Marshall

Audrey M. Marshall

Audrey Mae Johnston Marshall, 96, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2026. Audrey was born on September 27, 1929, in Aberdeen, Washington to Ray and Alice (Ellingson) Johnston. The family moved to Olympia in 1935 when Ray was asked to manage the Spar Restaurant in downtown Olympia. In recent years, Audrey ate breakfast almost every week at the Spar and enjoyed the pictures of her father displayed there. The highlight of every week was her Wednesday breakfast out with her dear friend Andrew.

Audrey graduated from Olympia High School, the valedictorian of the class of 1947. She briefly attended Washington State University before returning to Olympia to marry Tom Marshall on December 27, 1947. Tom and Audrey raised their four children in Olympia, moving in 1965 to their dream home on Pattison Lake.

Audrey worked for many years for the American Red Cross, Westminster Presbyterian Church, and Lacey Presbyterian Church. Much more important to her was the time she devoted to all her children's activities – room mother, den mother, Sunday School teacher, youth group leader, and anything involving her children and later her grandchildren.

Audrey and Tom were members of Westminster Presbyterian Church for many years, and charter members of Lacey Presbyterian Church. They especially loved their time with church friends through sharing group and card club – both of which met together for over 30 years.

After retirement, Audrey and Tom bought a 5th wheel and traveled to 49 of 50 states. Nicole and Kathy made sure Audrey made it to the 50th state and took her to Maine for her 80th birthday. Tom and Audrey spent many wonderful days camping with their six grandchildren, all of whom enjoy reminiscing about those trips. Audrey loved cruising and was surprised by her family with cruises on her 80th and 90th birthdays. In recent years Audrey was so excited to join the entire Marshall family for a week of camping in Astoria, Oregon.

Audrey moved to Brookdale Olympia East 13 years ago and formed so many special friendships there. Thank you to the friends and caregivers who so lovingly cared for her these past several months. Thank you also to Providence at Home/Compassus for easing her journey these past few weeks.

Audrey is survived by her children Ken, Dan (Jen), Ron (Jean) and Kathy; her six grandchildren Robb, Nicole, Scott (Sarah), Kara (Adam), Lisa (Anthony) and Jeff (Laura); and the lights of her life, her ten great grandchildren Noah, Merlin, Luca, May, Keith, Logan, Avery, Veronica, Robert and Claire. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends who became family to her, especially her daughter-in-love Becky. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Tom, her daughter-in-law Vicky and her brother and sister-in-law Curt and Martha Johnston.

A memorial service is planned for April 13th at 11:00 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, and a reception will follow. The family suggests memorial donations may be sent to Westminster Presbyterian Church and designated for Hope Village, a tiny home village for those who are unhoused.