Marjorie Louise Eley

Marjorie Louise Eley (Margie), 79, died peacefully on November 30, 2019, surrounded by family at Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton. She was an amazing woman who cared about all.
Margie was born October 20, 1940 in Tangipahoa Parrish, LA to Arthur and Lois Ridgel. One of eight children, she grew up poor in Louisiana. She married very young at age 14 and raised three children. She was a wonderful mother (and cook!).
Margie was fiercely protective of her family and loved ones, loved them, believed in them and loved to be with them. She loved to sing, and she always needed to be wearing earrings “or something was wrong”. She loved God and was baptized in 1974 along with her daughter Sherry. Her grandchildren loved to have her repeat her story of an unfortunate encounter in a Mexican jail. She readily had a word of advice or encouragement, and was always very grateful for the kindness shown to her by all.
Margie met Dennis Eley in 1980 and they were married just 28 days later. They loved each other for more than 37 years. He was her “lovey” and she was his “Tweety”. They had many, many wonderful years together. She took care of him patiently and lovingly during the hard years of his dementia, keeping him home longer than humanly possible. His passing two years ago and her youngest daughter a year after that were just about too much for her to bear, but she kept on singing. “Just because I sing doesn’t mean I’m not sad”.
Margie enjoyed talking with her many loved ones around the country and would end each conversation with “I love you baby – bye bye, honey, bye bye”. Recently she noted that everybody needs a soft place to land, to lay their head, and that her family has been that for her.
Margie is survived by her sisters: Phyllis Hatcher and Dorothy Bond, her children: Sherry Williams and Robert Kern Jr., her step-children (“you’re not mine by birth but you’re mine by love”): Kathleen Eley Wright (Bob), Sharon James (Larry), and Jim Eley (Rowena). She also leaves behind grandchildren: Tim Eley, Ryan James (Brynn), Jordan Eley (Alysia), Kyle James, Bryce James, Eric Eley, Rhianna Eley and Autumn Rose Eley, as well as several great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brothers (Michael, Randolph, Art, Dale and Harold), her precious daughter Kathleen Chapman and her beloved grandson Brent Bayliffe.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Sweet Margie, you now have a soft place to rest in the arms of God.
Dearly loved, she will be greatly missed.