Marjorie Elaine Dennis

December 8, 1958 - April 17, 2012

Marjorie “Marji” Elaine Dennis, 53, a resident of Corvallis since the 1980s, died April 17, 2012, at Timberview Care Center in Albany. She had earlier lived in Toledo, Portland, The Dalles and Eugene. Her death was due to respiratory failure following protracted health problems. Born Dec. 8, 1958, in Newport to Everette E. Dennis Sr. and Kathryn Platt Dennis, she grew up in Toledo and graduated from Toledo High School in 1977, where she took pride in competing in distance running events in girls’ track, and singing in chorus. She subsequently attended college at Western Oregon University, Portland Community College and Chemeketa Community College. She was employed as an assistant at The Dalles Public Library, and worked in market research for a motion picture firm. She enjoyed traveling, including trips to Victoria, Canada; Honolulu, Hawaii; New York City, N.Y.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Reno, Nev., where she shared good times with her mother. She is survived by her beloved cat, Petey; a brother, Everette E. Dennis of Doha, Qatar; three sisters, Barbara Thornburg of Bend, Donna Dennis of Portland, and Patricia McCarthy of Corvallis; as well as four nephews and two nieces. She suffered severe injuries when she was hit by a car at age 17, which led to three successive hip transplants. She will be remembered for her optimism in the face of difficult circumstances, and love of animals and family. Friends and neighbors at Benton Plaza, her long-time home in Corvallis, recently gathered to share their memories of Marji, and a memorial service with family is pending. She will be buried beside her mother and father at Yachats Memorial Gardens on the Oregon Coast.