Marguerite Reeves Shamberger, 86, passed away peacefully in Lacey, WA on June 12, 2010. Born January 17, 1924, in Sunnyside, WA to John Thomas Reeves and Blanche Barglof Reeves, Marguerite graduated from Sunnyside High School in 1942. She completed a BA in Sociology in 1946, at the University of La Verne and then taught elementary school in Baldwin Park and West Covina. After marrying Kenneth P. Shamberger in 1944, Marguerite later moved with him from Southern California to Wenatchee, WA, where they resided from 1952 until 1997. During this period, Marguerite focused on raising five daughters, as well as her professional career, teaching elementary and middle school in the Wenatchee Public Schools. She received her MA in Counseling at Eastern Washington University in 1969, acting as Counselor at Orchard Middle School until retirement in 1983. Marguerite was known as a mover and a shaker, lobbying for strong music arts education and progressive health education programs. Both in her district and statewide, Marguerite worked on larger education issues and wrote educational curriculum for Washington State. She served as President of the Washington School Counselor Association. In 2006, Marguerite was recognized as a Distinguished La Verne Alumni for Service to Profession and Community. Marguerite was selected as Mrs. Washington in 1960, and competed for the Mrs. America title in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where the contest included baking pies and casseroles, demonstrating how to do laundry, designing homes and hats, hair styling and runway modeling. She served as the first woman President of the Wenatchee YMCA Board of Directors in 1965, as Washington State President of Church Women United, Camp Koinonia founder, and Wenatchee UNICEF coordinator. In 1990, she co-founded the Mustard Seed Neighborhood Center to help meet childcare needs of low income families. Marguerite lobbied as a community activist for social issues, opening both her heart and home to those she met. A member of the Brethren Church since 1932, Marguerite's strong Christian faith guided her as Lifetime Deacon, Church School Superintendent and enthusiastic church choir member. Always mindful of world issues, Marguerite and her husband volunteered for two years in the Middle East with Brethren Volunteer Service from 1984 to 1986, coordinating educational programs for Palestinian refugees. Marguerite was known for her passionate opinions, her love and concern for others, her generosity, and her boundless involvement in the community, no matter where she lived. She reveled at listening to classical music, played piano and sang whenever possible. Marguerite often rode her bicycle to work and enjoyed tennis and swimming. She adored her grandchildren. In 1997, Marguerite and her husband moved to Olympia to be near family. The love of her life for 65 years was her husband, Ken, who passed away in 2009.

Marguerite is survived by daughters, Christina Volkmann (Donald) of Olympia, WA, Elaine Shamberger (Neil Smith) of Olympia, WA, Janet Adams (Scott) of Pullman, WA, Elisa Wildes (Robert) of Spokane, WA and Carla Quine (Jay) of Houston, TX; and 15 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Shamberger; and sister, Pauline Reeves.

The Shamberger Family extends heartfelt appreciation for Marguerite's care at Panorama City.

A Memorial Service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 1, 2010, at the Lacey Community Church, 4501 19th Avenue Southeast, Olympia, WA. Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 2, 2010, at Wenatchee Cemetery, 1804 N. Western Avenue, Wenatchee, WA. Donations may be made to Mustard Seed Neighborhood Center, 1007 Malaga Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801.