By Rich Osborne
Marjorie Watkins was born 100 years ago, on July 21, 1924, on Chehalam Mountain, Oregon. She was raised on the Oregon coast during the Great Depression. Her family, the Brunsons, were loggers, farmers, and hunters.
At age 14, Marj started writing a regular column for the Tillamook newspaper. She wrote ad copy for Fred Meyer at age 19. She has written many cookbooks and novels during her life, as well as writing the “Island Epicure” column, first for the Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, then for The Vashon Loop. At this time, Marj continues to write “The Island Epicure” with her oldest daughter, Suzanna Leigh. Marj is also working on the final book of her trilogy, about the family of her many-times great Grandfather, Charlemagne, as well as on a family memoir.
Marj married John Watkins, her childhood sweetheart, at age 20, when he returned from World War II. An Air Force wife, she raised her four children in Oregon, California, Texas, Louisiana, France, Maine, Okinawa, and finally Vashon Island.
Marj and John moved to Vashon in 1969, just in time for Strawberry Festival. John wanted to live in a place that had good sailing, and where he could teach school.
Marj has lived on Vashon Island for 55 years. She will turn 100 on July 21, 2024. She was a regularly attending member of the Vashon Church of the Holy Spirit until she had to stop driving. A benefactor to many Vashon Island causes over the years, when I asked Marj to run for Unofficial Mayor, representing the Vashon Senior Center, she said “Why not? Those kids could use some help.”
This would be a lovely 100th birthday present. Vote for Marj!
