
Marjorie Bean taught in David Douglas schools for 24 years and was an active volunteer in Mid-county for more than four decades. She died May 2 at the age of 92.
COURTESY BEAN FAMILY
Marjorie Irene Ross Bean was born on October 21, 1922 to Aubrey and Benjamin Ross in Spokane, Wash. She died May 2, 2015. She grew up an only child in Sandpoint and neighboring Priest River, Idaho. An avid reader, Marjorie was a good student and was valedictorian of her eighth grade class at Priest River grade school.
During those earlier years, her father owned and operated a 5-and-10-cent store; however, when economic hard times struck in the form of the Great Depression, the family moved to Parkrose in 1937 to live with family. Marjorie enrolled in Parkrose High and graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1940.
After high school, she went on to major in education at the University of Idaho. She lived in a co-op, where she waited tables, and also worked at the university library. In her second year, she met Donald W. Bean from Weiser, Idaho, and they became engaged. They were married in Moscow, Idaho, Nov. 25, 1942.
The young couple moved to Portland, where Marjorie went to work doing secretarial work for Commercial Iron Works, a war-industry producer of mine-sweepers, sub-chasers, and ice-breakers for the Navy. They were also outfitting a British aircraft carrier. When Don was called to active duty, she followed him as he trained and eventually graduated as a second lieutenant from Marana Army Air Field in Arizona.
When her husband was in India flying C-46 transport plans over the Himalayas during World War II, Marjorie returned to Parkrose to live with her parents, continue her career at Commercial Iron Works and wait for Don’s return.
After the war, both Beans enrolled at the University of Washington, graduating in June 1947 with Bachelor of Arts degrees in economics and business. They returned to Portland, bought a house and started a family. Son Gary was born in 1948; Robert followed in 1951.
Marjorie was a stay-at-home mom until a shortage of teachers inspired her to seek an education certificate. She taught for 24 years in the David Douglas School District, spending time at West Powellhurst Elementary, Gilbert Park Elementary and Ventura Park Elementary.
Travel was a lifelong love. Family excursions included trips to Disneyland, Yellowstone and visits with extended family in Idaho. She also visited Egypt, China, Kenya, Tanzania, Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. She toured England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, and she visited the Scandinavian countries and St. Petersburg as well as all of the countries of Europe. Hawaii was her destination several times, as well as Alaska, Canada and Mexico. Cruises were favorites of hers, going to all locations in the Caribbean, as well as the Panama Canal, Columbia, Hawaii, Alaska, Israel, Greece and Turkey.
Other interests included crossword puzzles, Jeopardy, dancing, music, flowers, church, animals, reading, current events and many friends. She was a member of Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church for more than 40 years. She served as an elder for several terms, volunteered in the office, taught Sunday school and was placed on The Living Honor Roll. She volunteered for SnowCap Community Charities, Meals on Wheels and Human Solutions, receiving the Human Solutions Community Solutions Award in 1996.
She is survived by husband Don, son Robert, grandchildren Scott, Erica, Benjamin and Isabella Bean and Michael McIrvin and Jenny Weisberg, and great-grandchildren Jaylen Roges, Zachary, Abigail, Annie and Zoe Bean.
A celebration of life has been held. She was interred at Willamette National Cemetery.