Obituary of Marjorie Christopher Findlay

     Marge Findlay, 98, moved on to “the next stage of development”, September 15, 2022 in Boise, Idaho.  Marge was born in Portland, Oregon on August 30, 1924, the first child of Agnes and Frank Christopher. She was raised in Portland with her sister, Marilyn. Marge graduated from Washington High School.

     Marge enrolled at Oregon State University in the fall of 1941 where two seminal events would shape her life. She pledged Alpha Chi Omega as the campus emptied of young men leaving for World War II. The life long bond between the Alpha Chi sisters was cemented in thousands of letters, cards, later phone calls and reunions. This remarkable group of women remained fast friends and shared their entire lives together. The other event was at Oregon State when Marge met Alex Findlay in the fall of 1941. It was the start of an extraordinary love affair and partnership that would last a lifetime. Marge graduated in the spring of 1946, and she wed Alex on August 30, 1946 in Portland.

     They started their family with the birth of Carolyn (Los Angeles, 1947), followed by Scott (Pocatello, 1951). Marge and Alex moved to Boise in 1951 when Alex became the youngest branch manager in the William Volker Co. David arrived in 1954 and Christopher followed in 1957.

     In 1959, the entrepreneurial couple purchased a small furniture store, Gem Furniture, even though they had no retail experience. Driven by their hard work, ingenuity, and lots of love, the family and the business thrived. In the early 1960’s they were joined in the business by Marge’s sister, Marilyn, and her husband, Gaylord Krahn. The two sisters were very active participants in the growing family business.

     Marge was extremely engaged in the Boise community. She was a member of the Junior League, City Design Review Committee, Idaho state UNICEF chair, first woman Senior Warden of St. Michael’s Cathedral, Statesman Citizen of the Week, Boise Garden Club, PEO, President of the Idaho Botanical Garden and more. She was dedicated to serving her community.

In 1966, the Findlay’s hosted French AFS student, Maryvonne Greffoz Rambach, starting an enduring friendship that has grown with the decades and families.

     In her “final stage of development“ Marge became the legendary Grandma Marge.  Her loving home was the central hub of all Findlay Family activities. Children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren all bathed in the glow of her joyous home and love. Marge was a genuine friend and had the gift of making the person in front of her feel special. She remembered the last conversion, sent a card, called during difficult times, all without pretense, only comfort. Marge made the difficult look easy.

     Marge was preceeded in death by Alex (2010); Mason Darling, and Nancy Rose Findlay. She is survived by her sister Marilyn; children: Carolyn (Anneliese and Todd Scott, Maggie and Shaun Ebben), Scott (Andy and Jackie Findlay, Kaitlyn Darling, Allison and Jace Greiner), David and Janis (Alex and Julia Findlay, Sam Findlay), Chris (Mary and Brandon Huff, Cooper Findlay), along with 12 fabulous great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

     Marge died grateful for her abundant and beautiful life. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Michaels Cathedral, at 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 20, 2023, 518 N. 8^th street, Boise, Idaho, 83702, with a celebration to follow at the Idaho Botanical Gardens, 2355 E. Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho, 83712. Memorials may be made to The Idaho Botanical Garden and to Paradise Point Camp through the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho. Remembrances may be left for Marge’s family on her webpage at www.AccentFuneral.com.