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Marie Minda Larson Rodkey

Birth
Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA
Death
19 Dec 2020 (aged 98)
Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA
Burial
Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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RODKEY, Marie Minda After a decade long journey with Alzheimer's and finally COVID, Marie has completed her Baptism and journeyed on to sing in the heavenly choir. Marie passed away December 19, 2020 at 98 years old. Marie was born November 25, 1922 in Spokane to George and Margret Larson. She attended Bancroft, Havermale, and North Central. The family moved during her latter high school years to Dayton, Washington where she graduated from Dayton High School. She got her BA in Music Education from WSU and taught one year in Sunnyside. After marriage, Marie taught many students voice lessons and substituted around the Spokane School District. She married John P. Rodkey and lived her life in Spokane. Her love was music, family, faith, sewing and travel. John and Marie were amazing parents to Jo, Sharon and Paul, giving them a vision of life full of beauty, loyalty, faith, and peace.

Marie contributed to the community with grace and integrity. Marie was an active member of Mu Pi Epsilon (music sorority), Friday Musical, YWCA board, St. Paul's Methodist, First Presbyterian, and Bethany Presbyterian, Meals on Wheels, and Stephens Ministry. She was a Deacon and Elder in the Presbyterian Church. She was always singing, be it the alto solos in the community Messiah, Spokane Symphony projects, the Symphony Chorale, or for various events around Spokane. Marie was deeply passionate about social justice as based within her faith. Clarity of ethics was of utmost importance for her. She was also a willing hostess, receiving guests from area Universities or visitors to Spokane from countries all around the world. The richness of those connections continue even today.

Marie endured Alzheimer's for over a decade. Even though it robbed her of her memory, her kindness was still present. Thanks to family and friends who stayed present with her through these tough times. Sincere thanks to the Claire Bridge facility at Park Place for sharing their amazing gifts in Marie's care for the last ten years, and to Hospice of Spokane in her final days. Her family is most grateful.

Marie was preceded in death by husband John P. Rodkey; daughter Johanna Lee (Rodkey) Roberts; father George M. Larson; mother Margret (Taplin) Larson, and step-mother Fern Larson.

Marie is survived by her daughter Sharon Rodkey Smith and husband Dennis; and her son Paul Rodkey and wife Kerri. Marie has eight grandchildren: Aaron Roberts, Alexa Roberts Conner and Sam Roberts, Minda Smith Schumacher, Erik Smith and Matthew Smith, Diana Rodkey Keyson and Christopher Rodkey. She has 10 wonderful great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Bethany Presbyterian Memorial Fund, 2607 S. Ray St., Spokane, 99223, or the Musician's Relief Fund, c/o The Spokane Symphony, 818 W. Riverside Mezzanine, Spokane, WA 99201.

Published in Spokesman-Review from Dec. 27 to Dec. 30, 2020.
RODKEY, Marie Minda After a decade long journey with Alzheimer's and finally COVID, Marie has completed her Baptism and journeyed on to sing in the heavenly choir. Marie passed away December 19, 2020 at 98 years old. Marie was born November 25, 1922 in Spokane to George and Margret Larson. She attended Bancroft, Havermale, and North Central. The family moved during her latter high school years to Dayton, Washington where she graduated from Dayton High School. She got her BA in Music Education from WSU and taught one year in Sunnyside. After marriage, Marie taught many students voice lessons and substituted around the Spokane School District. She married John P. Rodkey and lived her life in Spokane. Her love was music, family, faith, sewing and travel. John and Marie were amazing parents to Jo, Sharon and Paul, giving them a vision of life full of beauty, loyalty, faith, and peace.

Marie contributed to the community with grace and integrity. Marie was an active member of Mu Pi Epsilon (music sorority), Friday Musical, YWCA board, St. Paul's Methodist, First Presbyterian, and Bethany Presbyterian, Meals on Wheels, and Stephens Ministry. She was a Deacon and Elder in the Presbyterian Church. She was always singing, be it the alto solos in the community Messiah, Spokane Symphony projects, the Symphony Chorale, or for various events around Spokane. Marie was deeply passionate about social justice as based within her faith. Clarity of ethics was of utmost importance for her. She was also a willing hostess, receiving guests from area Universities or visitors to Spokane from countries all around the world. The richness of those connections continue even today.

Marie endured Alzheimer's for over a decade. Even though it robbed her of her memory, her kindness was still present. Thanks to family and friends who stayed present with her through these tough times. Sincere thanks to the Claire Bridge facility at Park Place for sharing their amazing gifts in Marie's care for the last ten years, and to Hospice of Spokane in her final days. Her family is most grateful.

Marie was preceded in death by husband John P. Rodkey; daughter Johanna Lee (Rodkey) Roberts; father George M. Larson; mother Margret (Taplin) Larson, and step-mother Fern Larson.

Marie is survived by her daughter Sharon Rodkey Smith and husband Dennis; and her son Paul Rodkey and wife Kerri. Marie has eight grandchildren: Aaron Roberts, Alexa Roberts Conner and Sam Roberts, Minda Smith Schumacher, Erik Smith and Matthew Smith, Diana Rodkey Keyson and Christopher Rodkey. She has 10 wonderful great-grandchildren.

Memorial donations may be made to Bethany Presbyterian Memorial Fund, 2607 S. Ray St., Spokane, 99223, or the Musician's Relief Fund, c/o The Spokane Symphony, 818 W. Riverside Mezzanine, Spokane, WA 99201.

Published in Spokesman-Review from Dec. 27 to Dec. 30, 2020.


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