Marjorie May Walton, a woman of intellect and independence, passed away October 20, 2013, at the age of 81.

She was born February 28, 1932 to William and Ivel (Terril) Lortz of Chelan, Wash. Her father Bill was a mechanic who invented several labor-saving devices for the agricultural industry; the family moved frequently before settling in Kennewick. Mother Ivel was one of 8 children, a native of Eastern Washington. She was gregarious and enjoyed dancing. As a girl, Marjorie loved living in the apple country, as she called it. It was a simple time for their family, with few resources yet surrounded by hard work opportunities. Even though they struggled through poverty they remained a family. Marj loved competing in sports and games. She competed at State tennis tournament; she also played the national anthem on the trumpet at the opening of Grand Coulee Dam in 1942. She was a talented and studious child.

She graduated from Kennewick High School in 1950 and worked as a telephone operator for the Bell Company before heading to Seattle in search of education and opportunity, with just $50 in her pocket. She wondered, where could she find more opportunity - Seattle or Spokane? She knew one would be her destiny. She choose Seattle because, she postulated, they had more lights. More lights meant more jobs, meant more opportunity for employment. She moved to Seattle with a co-worker and friend.

Always a trailblazer who refused to be held back by convention, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics from University of Washington. While earning her master's degree and teaching statistics, she was introduced to Larry Walton through his sister Doris, who worked in University of Washington math department. Marj and Larry were married May 31, 1968. In 1969, Marj received her Masters of Arts Degree in math, and the first of their daughters, Sheila, was born. Their second daughter, Jean, was born in 1971.

Although Marj gave up her career to be a homemaker, she found ways to continue working from home and purchased her first home personal computer in 1983. Before that, she took a correspondence course in electronics. She loved experimenting and found computing filled her inquisitive soul. She had a strong work ethic and even though suffering osteoarthritis later in life and surviving two surgeries, she chose to work on contract from home in order to feel the value of her upbringing, working hard. While she could, she greatly enjoyed her bowling and softball leagues. She taught artistic woodworking, a 1970's favorite pastime.

Throughout her life, she loved to read Science Fiction and follow politics--as a staunch Democrat and feminist--and never missed a major tennis tournament or the World Series. She taught her daughters to think for themselves and rely on their own hard work and talent. That was her value, to think and ask questions, push issues, and be results oriented.

Marj is survived by her brother Leonard Lortz of Vancouver Washington; her sisters Jackie Johnson of Pasco and Pat Ashby of Richland; and her daughters Jean and Sheila Walton of Bellevue. Her husband Larry preceded her in death on October 7, 2013.