Marjorie L. Mancini

Marjorie Lue Mancini, 79, a resident of Long Beach for the past 26 years, died in Portland on April 1, 2015. Marjorie was born in Denver, Colorado on September 1, 1935. As a child, she moved to the Spokane Valley in eastern Washington where she grew up with her best friend Jerre Jo Farrar McDaneld. In her younger years, Marj served as an usherette at the Fox Theatre in Spokane, Washington and was a car hop while residing in Eugene, Oregon. She graduated from West Valley High School in Millwood, Washington in 1953. Eventually, she returned to school and graduated from Suffolk County Community College State University of New York with an associate degree in art - which fueled her passion for all things creative. On December 3, 1955 she married Michael Mancini in Spokane, Washington. In 1961, they moved to Brentwood, New York, where they raised three children - living close to family and friends until moving to Long Beach in 1989. Although she was employed as a bookkeeper, Marjorie's true calling was as an artist. She worked with acrylic paint, pen and ink and dabbled in stained glass. She created stuffed bears, sewed custom clothing/accessories and did beautiful woodwork - including building two multi-level decks on the back of her homes in New York and Washington state. In addition, she loved darts, bowling, playing cards and attending social events. Marjorie was always active in her community. She was a Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, PTA volunteer, foster mom for infants and children, volunteered at the local food bank and she ran the telephone campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy TV telethon. Marj was also a long-time member of both the Eagles and Moose lodges in Ocean Park - where she had many friends. Besides her husband of 59 years, Marjorie is survived by daughters Theresa Mancini Mulligan of Clearwater, Florida and Michele Mancini of Rockville Centre, NY; son Derrick Mancini of Riverside, Illinois; brother James DeLay of Cashmere, Washington; and granddaughter Lucia Mancini of Riverside, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her mother, Madoline West Callihan. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, April 11, 2015, 1:00 PM at Penttila's Chapel by The Sea in Long Beach. A reception follows the celebration at the chapel and her concluding graveside service will be at Lone Fir Cemetery in Long Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial donation to the American Heart Association, American Lung Association or the South Pacific County Humane Society in Long Beach, Washington. Often a "secret Santa" to those in need over the years, Marj would have been delighted to see contributions given to any of these charities. Marjorie's guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.