Our beautiful mother, Marie Standerford, passed away at home on May 12, 2009, after a five year battle with colon cancer. She died as she lived, with grace and courage, lovingly cared for by her children, grandchildren and a beloved friend. She was born on a farm in Oxford, AR on November 4, 1920, to Stant and Lora (Chadwick) Parish. She spent her early years there and married her childhood sweetheart, Joe Standerford, on December 21, 1938. A son, Jim, was born there in 1943, and a daughter, Venita in 1945. Shortly after, the family packed up and moved to the Wenatchee Valley. During the lean years, Mom often worked outside the home, taking jobs in the fruit industry to supplement the family income. Later, she worked side by side with Dad, establishing and owning several apple orchards in the Wenatchee area. They were longtime square dancers, meeting many dear friends over the years. Mom loved music and played the base guitar in a Blue Grass trio, formed by Georgia and Alvis Wood, for a while. In later years, when Dad was in failing health, they enjoyed touring and camping with a Good Sam Club.Marie is survived by her daughter, Venita (Gary) Vaughn; son, James (Eileen) Standerford; six grandchildren, Paul (Missy) Downs, Julie (Jeff) Martin, Jennifer (Scott) Hensley, Beverly (Chuck) Horton, Kelly Waudé and David Standerford; 13 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, both here and in Arkansas. She is also survived by a beloved friend and companion, Ralph Curtis. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Joe Standerford in 2004; brothers, Fred, Hershel and Kermit Parish; and one sister, Treva Wood, all of Arkansas.During the last five years of her life, Mom was privileged to be cared for by Dr. David Notter. He treated her with dignity, kindness and compassion and made it possible for her to have many years of quality life. Her family will be forever grateful. We would also like to thank Dr. Jeffery Clarke for being a wonderful and faithful physician, who was always there for both our parents for many years. There was no better medicine than a visit with either of these amazing men for either Mom or her family and we are especially grateful to the caring nurses of the Oncology/Chemotherapy department. We were always greeted with a hug and a smile, warmth and comfort.It is hard to describe in a few words what an extraordinary woman Mom was. She taught us many things in our lives. The most important, by example, was the way she lived her life, loving with unconditional love, dignity and respect and living life to the fullest to the very end. Our hearts are broken, but she will live on in our memory, and what beautiful memories we have.Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m., Sunday, May 17, 2009, at Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home in Wenatchee. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, May 18, at Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to Central Washington Home Health & Hospice Care, 1201 S. Miller Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801.