Ode to an Older Time: Grace Marshall

She said she grew up as a fun-loving child and always loved helping everyone. She drove a tractor and a team of horses, and separated hay while helping on the ranch. Marshall said she loved school and was always competing in sports such as baseball, basketball, football, and track; she could even long jump for six feet. By the 10^th grade, she said she met her first husband, Lyale Ray, and they moved to Chewelah, with her leaving high school at 17. After the two married, Marshall said she began having kids. Marshall said she worked in Chewelah, nine years at IGA and 12 years at Safeway She said she also volunteered at Long-Term Care in Chewelah, where she helped elders and others organize and do different kinds of crafts. When she wasn't taking care of her kids or working, Marshall said she enjoyed gardening, tending to her chickens and pigs, and canning produce from her garden, sometimes even reaching up to 120 quarts a year. 

For almost every holiday, Marshall’s kids, Velda, Lyale, Dean, Vera, and Kevin, brought their families to her house. She said she would bake pies and cook all kinds of food. Marshall said she loved to fish as well, and her favorite fishing spot was always at Waitts Lake. 

One of her fondest memories was visiting Seattle with her son, Kevin, and granddaughter Alicia; she said they went to the Space Needle, Santa Land, and the Fisherman's Wharf. Marshall said she feels close to God, and sings church songs at Colville Health & Rehabilitation of Cascadia, where she resides. Marshall said she enjoys her time at Cascadia and does pottery, painting, and many other activities. Marshall said she once  entered into the Cascadia Fair and won first place on a bowl she made. When discussing life advice for younger generations, she said, “Love your children, take care of them, cook them good meals, and just be a mom.”