HILLSBORO, Ore., and HERMON – Marjorie Butler Rich Olsen, 87, died Monday, Dec. 20, 2010, in Hillsboro, Ore. She was born March 5, 1923, in Union, to Earl M. Butler and L. Marie (Messer) Butler. She graduated from Union High School in 1940. Marjorie earned her bachelor’s degree in 1944 from the University of Maine, Orono. Marjorie married Elton Rich of Detroit, Maine, in 1944. After the end of World War II, the couple and their young children moved from Monroe to Hermon, where they raised their family. She taught at Hermon High School and was a caseworker in Bangor. Later the family moved to Ellsworth, where she taught eighth grade and was principal of Surry Elementary School. In 1968 Marjorie and her two younger daughters moved to Santa Paula, Calif., where she taught school. While living in Ventura, Calif., she married Clint Olsen of California. Later in life she moved to Lake Stevens, Wash., eventually settling in Hillsboro, Ore., for her remaining years. Marjorie was an avid reader and also enjoyed traveling and talking on the phone with her friends and family. Marjorie was predeceased by her parents; her two brothers, Chester Butler and Wendell Butler, both of Union; and her two husbands. She is survived by her sister, Muriel Butler Heath of Union; her three daughters, the Rev. Dr. Penny Christianson and husband, Michael Meriwether, of Hillsboro, Ore., Kathy Thomas and husband, Ron, of Missoula, Mont., and Karen Thomas and fiance, Gary Hanousek, of Camino Island, Wash.; her son, Paul Rich of Hampden; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A committal service will be held in the spring at Lakeview Cemetery, Union, where she will be buried in the Butler family plot. In lieu of flowers, her children request that donations be made to American Heart Association, 51 US Route 1, Suite M, Scarborough, ME 04074. Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro. You are invited to share condolences, memories and photos with the Butler-Olsen family by visiting their book of memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
MARJORIE BUTLER RICH OLSEN
