Obituary of Marylin Fenimore

Marylin Edith Doucet Fenimore, of Federal Way, passed away suddenly on Saturday, May 7, 2011. Marylin, the youngest of six girls, was born July 15, 1941, in Lake Oswego, Oregon, to Elizabeth Mary (Lemley) and Russell Orell Doucet. Marylin attended Cathedral Catholic School in Portland and graduated from Tillamook High School on the Oregon Coast. She attended Portland State University in Fine Arts and began a career in design and display for department stores in Portland and later in Baltimore, Maryland. Among her happiest years were those she lived in Germany with her husband, Hugo Leyva, who preceded her in death. She owned and operated a florist business in Eugene, and later worked in design and display in ladies clothing and department stores in the Eugene, Medford and Roseburg areas. She was a volunteer for Big Sisters and the various Catholic churches where she lived and was a member of a ladies philanthropic sorority in Roseburg. She went back to school in graphic design while living in the Cottage Grove area. She moved to Federal Way seven years ago to be near her son, Eric Leyva, and his family and worked in Federal Way for Americorps and most recently in child care, where she particularly adored the care of infants. She enjoyed her family, her church, her good friends, her lifelong love of the arts and her cats, Pia and Baby. She will be remembered for her optimism, intelligence, kindness, her many talents and creativity, and her strong faith and love of others, which was an inspiration to all who met her. In addition to Eric, Marylin is survived by her daughter-in-law, Bernadette, and her grandchildren, Yasmin (Josh Ferguson ), of Mollala Oregon, and Joseph, of Kent, and two great grandsons, Jonavan and Landin Ferguson, her sisters Teddy Givnan, of Portland, Jeananne Werner of Eugene, Rosemarie Hahn, of Oregon city, and Bette Starr, of Coquille. She is also survived by Cece Doucette of Kirkland and many nieces and nephews and the dear friends who were such a big part of her life. A mass to celebrate Marylin’s life is scheduled for Friday, May 13, at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Federal Way. Arrangements are by Klontz Funeral Home in Auburn.