Marjorie Jean Brotherton

Marjorie Jean Brotherton was born January 16, 1921 to John and Mollie Geist and died July 31, 2015 in Walla Walla. She attended local schools and graduated from Walla Walla High School in 1939.

She loved horses and rode “Sagebrush” whenever she had time. After high school, she became a beautician. Marjorie married Albert Brotherton on December 9, 1941. Marjorie and Al spent a short time in Portland. Marjorie practiced her profession while in Portland and Al drove a milk truck.

After the start of WWII, Al enlisted in the Navy and shortly thereafter, the first of their 4 children was born and the family had begun. Merrily was first born followed by Donna, Scott and Mark. When the war was over, they farmed in the Sudbury area. The crew that was hired for harvest came back every year as much for Marjorie’s cooking as a paycheck. She was a wonderful cook and homemaker.

In 1957, the family moved to Fairbanks, Alaska at the urging of good friends Glen and Gloria Webb. They returned from Alaska to acreage on Russel Creek. From Russel Creek, the family moved to town. Marjorie got a job with the Walla Walla Public School District and drove the first special needs bus. It was a Plymouth station wagon! When driving the bus she thought of her passengers as her own. She thought of others before herself always. Marjorie retired from the school district in 1982.

Next to her family, gardening and yardwork was her passion. It showed as the yard and flowerbeds could have been on the cover of any home and garden magazine. Even when her health kept her from gardening, she would do what she could and it showed.

Marjorie is survived by son, Mark Brotherton (Georgie); grandchildren, Buck Jones (Nadja), Brooker Jones, Brandi Tabor (Mike), Michelle Hylland (Evan), Christopher Brotherton, Brooke Brotherton Prutsman (Sloan); 11 great grandchildren; 1 great great grandchild; 2 nieces and 2 nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Drema Kay Brotherton; brother, Robert Geist; children, Scott, Merrily and Donna.

The Private Graveside Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Mountain View Cemetery with Reverend Joel Ley officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice or Christ Lutheran Church of Walla Walla through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA.