Margaret Ellen Fletcher Dorr-Folsom of Burien died of cancer on Sunday, December 16, 2007, at Stafford Healthcare in Des Moines at the age of 79.
Margaret was born in Dayton, Washington, on December 1, 1928. Her parents were Frank Victor and Lelah Anna (Swanson) Fletcher. She attended school in Dayton and Prescott, and graduated from Dayton High School in 1947. She was a princess on the Dayton Days court. Following high school, she attended Victor Beauty School in Walla Walla, and took some classes at Central Washington (College) University. In 1949, she married George Dean Dorr, also of Dayton. They moved to south Seattle in 1952, where George was an educator for the Highline School District. They were married for 38 years, raised their children Mark and Nancy in the Normandy Park area, then moved to Des Moines, where they lived until George died in 1988. In 1996, she married Fred Folsom of Burien. They were married for 11 years, until Margaret's death.
Margaret, or Margie, as she was known to family and friends, worked as a secretary for many years in the Highline School District, most recently at Sylvester Junior High. Margie was a very loving, caring and generous person, especially with her family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Margie was known for her cheerfulness, her laughter, and her pleasant, outgoing personality. She enjoyed decorating her home, and it was always clean and tidy. In her spare time, Margie enjoyed cooking, gardening, bowling, playing the piano, and spending time at the family cabins both at Lake St. Claire near Lacey, and at Hompegg Falls near Dayton.
She met Fred while they were both in a bowling league. Margie liked to play many types of card and board games, and was very good at them. She and Fred also greatly enjoyed their many road trips together. Margie had very fond memories of growing up on the family farm in Dayton, and until her death she maintained an avid interest in the Dayton community, always maintaining her subscription to the Dayton Chronicle. She was a member of the Dayton Depot Society. She also loved spending time with friends and family, especially her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She was deeply loved, and she will be greatly missed.
Margaret is survived by her husband, Fred, her son Mark Dorr (Johanna) of Philomath, Oregon, and her daughter Nancy March (Roland) of Seattle. She is also survived by her six grandchildren: Kristina Proszek, Sarah Brosnan (Chris), Jake Dorr (Beka), Ben Dorr, David Dorr (Nikki), and Hannah Dorr. She is survived by her sister Marilyn Groom (Bud) of Dayton, brother-in-law Jack Dorr (Janis) of Yakima, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Fred's sons: Lynn Folsom (Gretchen), Richard Folsom (Gloria), Clark "Butch" Folsom, and their children, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, George, and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Marge Dorr.
A service for Margaret will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2007, at 1 p.m. at the Bonney-Watson Parker Chapel, 900 S.W. 146th St., in Burien, with a reception to follow. Viewing will be available on Friday, December 28, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and also for two hours prior to Saturday's service at Parker Chapel. For more information, please call Bonney-Watson at 206-244-2320. Interment will be in the Dayton Cemetery, and a memorial service will be held in Dayton at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Dayton Depot Society, 222 E. Commercial St., Dayton, WA 99328, or to the charity of your choice. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the doctors and staff at Group Health, Stafford Healthcare, and the Hospice staff, all of whom helped care for Margie during her final days. Please sign the online memorial guest book at www.bonneywatson.com.
