Margaret Jean Stanley

(Nee Doty)

June 6, 1928 brought a very special person into the world, and October 23, 2013 brought her generous spirit to the great garden of heaven. How fitting that she was dancing at the Sun Valley Jazz Festival an hour before her stroke.

Born to Leora Valentine and Lloyd W. Doty, in Champaign, Illinois, Margaret (Marge) grew up in West Seattle, attended the University of Washington, joined the Sigma Kappa sorority, where she met “the catch of Capitol Hill”, William Patrick Stanley. After working as an assistant to the Vice President of Seattle Gas Co. and at Boeing, her career switched to that of wife, mother of Laura, Susan, and Pattie, and volunteer. She taught Sunday School, was active in Ryther and the PTA, was a Camp Fire Girls and Head Start leader, as well as an art docent.

Marge moved to Sun Valley in 1973 where she opened the “Sage Hen Gallery” in Ketchum, Idaho. She lived briefly in Winthrop, returning to Mercer Island in 1985. She loved Mt. Rainier, tennis, gardening, hiking, skiing, walking, baking, reading, doing crosswords, and cheering on her Sonics, Mariners, Huskies, Seahawks, and Islanders.

Known as “Grandma Marge” to her preschool students, she taught for many years at Sunnybeam School on Mercer Island. She and her beloved companion, Charles (Chuck) Howe enjoyed their travels together, particularly as “Swallows” to Cowichan, Vancouver Isl., to play on grass tennis courts, as well as to Sun Valley as “Ancient Skiers.”

Marge is predeceased by William Joseph Bonica, William Patrick Stanley, and Rod Kagan. Marge is survived by daughters Laura Stanley, Susan Stanley (Bob Kendrick), and Pattie Smith (Mickey), grandchildren Hans Martin Smith IV (Sarah), Anna Patterson (Chad), Ryan Smith (Jenni), Elizabeth Stanley (fiancé Daniel Frankel), and Sarah Stanley, great grandchildren Quin and Eldon Smith, Tommy and Riley Smith, and Enzo Patterson, sister Jane Rogge, brother Bob Doty (Susie), and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be November 8, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Ryther or charity of choice.