Marjorie V. (Jones) Findlay, 87

Marjorie V. (Jones) Findlay, 87, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, of Cocolalla died Friday, Jan. 22, 2010, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

She was born in Billings, Mont., on April 23, 1922, the daughter of Russel Edgar and Vera Marrion Pearce Jones. She spent the early part of her life in Canada, but was raised primarily in Billings, Mont., where she graduated high school in 1940.

Following her graduation she came to Spokane, Wash., to work as a soda Jerk in a drug store, where she met Frank Findlay Jr. and they were married on June 29, 1941, in Billings, Mont.

They moved to Spokane where after a few years of starting a family and supporting her husband, they moved to a large 640-acre cattle ranch in Cocolalla. They raised cattle, pigs, horses, lambs, chickens, and farmed the land. In 1955 the family moved from the farm down Highway 95 in Cocolalla and built Findlay Lumber which they operated until 1971. Marjorie was secretary, treasure, and general helpmate with Frank in the business.

During this time she also served as chairwoman for the Farm Bureau for eight years, had a radio program on KSPT in Sandpoint for 5 years. She did this all the while maintaining the family home and raising her children. From the early 1970s through the mid 1980s they owned an apple orchard in Washington state and Findlay Apartments in Spokane, while maintaining their small farm in Cocolalla.

Marjorie loved literature, wrote poetry, enjoyed music (she taught herself how to play the piano) but the two joys in her life were he family and sharing and living her Christian faith.

She is survived by Frank her loving husband of 68 years; three children: Stan (Joyce) Findlay of Westmond, Idaho, Donna (Karl) Spade of Careywood, Idaho, and Francine (Corky) Booth of Plummer, Idaho; and 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Russel and Vera Jones; and two brothers, Bill and Robert.

Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m. at Friday, Jan. 29, 2010, at Coffelt Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Kerry Lee Findlay officiating. Friends may call at Coffelt Funeral Chapel on Thursday from 3-6 p.m. Private family interment will take place at Fairmont Cemetery in Spokane, Wash.

Family and friends are invited to sign Marjorie’s online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.