Marvel Olive (Kvamme) Smythe

Marvel (Kvamme) Smythe 

Marvel, age 90, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2016 in Tacoma, WA. Born on May 7, 1926, in Tacoma, the first-born of Norwegian immigrants Ole and Oliva Kvamme. Marvel grew up in Tacoma and graduated from Lincoln High School. After graduation she became a secretary for an insurance company. Marvel married Richard (Dick) Smythe in 1948 and they were happily together until his death in 1999. During their 51 years of marriage, Marvel created loving homes in many cities, including Tacoma, Fife, Bellevue, Vancouver, and Gig Harbor, as she supported Dick’s career with the telephone company. Later, when her husband was a State Representative for Clark County and then a lobbyist, Marvel became an accomplished legislative secretary, participating in the political life of Olympia, WA. 

Mom was a devoted and kind mother, always supporting her girls' endeavors. She also tutored young disadvantaged students, volunteered with the PTA, the American Cancer Society, as a hospital volunteer, among other causes. She was a devoted homemaker, demonstrating her love of decorating, creative cooking, entertaining, and gardening.

Mom was a gracious hostess and a forever friend to many people.

In her last two years as a resident of Franke Tobey Jones, in Tacoma.she was still known for her colorful, stylish and matching outfits and her sweet disposition. Our mother was a lifelong Christian, with her faith, love and obedience to The Lord represented in everything she did. One of the last things mom said was that she was seeing angels, which was a huge comfort. 

Marvel is survived by her daughters Candy Rao (Robert Walker), Kathy Bleth (Alan), Janey Pinneo (Jeff); grandchildren Joe Rao (Amy), Angela Rao (A.J. Tyler), Lindsey Sundby (Tyler), Hayley Frey (Matt), Chelsea Ward (Casey), Luke Pinneo; and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by all of her siblings Bernice Johnson, Edith Stageberg (Dean), Ida Hagen (Jim), Reuben Kvamme (Clarine), Jo Ann Glass (Dale), and many nieces and nephews. 

Services will be held at Haven of Rest in Gig Harbor on Sunday July 17th at 1 PM. Please leave messages, favorite memories, and condolences for the family at www.havenrest.com where you can also light a candle in her memory.

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