COLOMBARI, M. Marie

M. Marie Colombari, 91, of Baker City, died June 1, 2014, at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center- Baker City. At her request, there will be no funeral. Inurnment will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Arrangements are under the direction of Coles Tribute Center. Marie was born to Fred and Okie (Updike) Makinson at the family home near Halfway on Nov. 14, 1922. She was the fourth of five children in the family. Marie was raised in Pine Valley and had many stories about growing up there. After graduating from Halfway High School, she worked in the shipyards in Portland before enlisting in the U.S. Navy WAVES, serving in San Diego during World War II. She was discharged in March 1946 and returned to Baker County. Marie was always proud to be a veteran. In October 2010, she was honored to visit Washington, D.C., and the National World War II Memorial with the Honor Flight program. She met L.E. "Bari" Colombari in Baker City and they were married Sept. 9, 1946. They had been married 53 years when he died in 2000. They enjoyed many years at their cabin on Brownlee Reservoir with their three children, Sandra, Bari and Shawna. After her husband retired, they traveled throughout the U.S. Marie also enjoyed bingo and an occasional trip to Wildhorse Casino — the last trip being just a month before her death. She was an accomplished seamstress and made much of her own clothing and pajamas for her grandkids for many years. She also made a quilt for each child and grandchild. Visits from those grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always enjoyed — when they could find her at home. Volunteering at the Senior Center and coffee breaks at McDonalds with friends kept her on the move. She is survived by her children, Sandra Britton and her husband Howard, and Shawna Boothby and her husband Glen, all of Baker City, and Bari Colombari of Portland; grandchildren, Chuck and Dave Britton, Lisa Britton Jacoby and Mark and Casey Boothby; great-grandchildren, Vivian, Levi, Tyler and McKenzie Britton, Oliva and Max Jacoby and Logan, Macy, Ella and Hadley Boothby; one cousin, Marcella Taylor of Halfway; numerous nieces and nephews, and her special friend Ludy Busciglio. therconline.com 26 June 2014