Marian Katherine (Wyatt) Gordon died peacefully on the eve of a Super Moon at Spokane Hospice House on August 9, 2014 with her family at her side. She was the first born of four children to Frank Marion and Erna H. (Steg) Wyatt on September 26, 1921 in Sandpoint, Idaho.

She grew up with her two younger brothers and sister and an extended family of many cousins in Sandpoint where she graduated in the class of 1939. She received her teaching certificate from Lewis and Clark Normal School in Lewiston, Idaho in 1941. She taught all elementary grades except first, in Kootenai and Worley, Idaho (1941-1945) as well as St. John, Wash. between 1945-1948. While teaching in Worley, Marian met Evelyn Dull (now of Oroville) who was teaching in Worley as well.

She married Alvin Gordon in 1948 in Spokane where they made their home and raised five children. Her parents, Frank and Erna moved to Oroville in 1948 where they were apple orchardists until late in their lives. For several decades, summer breaks and holidays were spent by Marian’s family in Oroville. Her children took swimming lessons and learned to swim in Lake Osoyoos.

She was a member of the American Legion post in Oroville, as her father, Frank served in the Army (WWI) and brother Walt served in the Navy during WWII. She was an involved parent in her children’s schools, and a Cub Scout as well as Campfire leader. Her home in Spokane, was a base for the neighborhood and later Gonzaga University student friends of her children. She aptly called her kitchen “Grand Central Station.” From her German grandmother, Bertha Steg and her mother Erna, she carried on the tradition of graciously “adding another plate to the table” when anyone arrived at meal time.

She was a calm leader of women who could gracefully smooth out any discord and bring a group to consensus. She was president of many Catholic women’s organizations. She enjoyed bridge, gardening, as well as golf with the Wandermere Nine Holers. Her famous pecan rolls were treasured by many and were sent on several occasions to her son-in-law, John while stationed with the Army in Korea. She traveled to Alaska, Hawaii, Europe – with her mother Erna, and Puerto Rico. All of her life she was a teacher, displaying patience, curiosity, joy in discovery, a generous spirit, humor, and facilitator of growth of groups of all ages.

She was preceded in death by her husband Al (1980), son John (1974), brothers Frank and Walter Wyatt, as well as her parents. She is survived by her children, Maureen Shogan (Joe) Spokane, Wash., Denise Dhane (John) Steilacoom, Wash.; Mark (Kathy) Omak, Wash. and Jamie, Spokane, her sister Joanne Whiteaker (Clyde) Oroville. Grandchildren, John Gordon (Sarah) – Oroville, Beau Dhane, Dallas. Texas, Chris Shogan (Julie) – Spokane, Sarah Dhane, Austin, Texas, Katie Turner (Shad) Tonasket, Wash. and Stephen Shogan, San Francisco, Calif., three great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews and her cousin John Steg’s wife, Betty (Oroville).

Funeral Mass was held on August 16, 2014 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church – Spokane, Wash.