Marie was born to Richard Burkett and Frances (Breitling) Burkett on Oct. 24, 1938 at home near Whitehouse, Texas.
She completed her education in Whitehouse, Texas, later attending a bookkeeper school.
In 1972 she and her husband Joe Key moved from Eustace Texas to Fossil, Joe’s childhood hometown. In 1973 they moved to Kinzua. She was the HR Manager for Kinzua Corporation in Kinzua until the saw mill closed in 1978.
Marie enjoyed sewing, reading, gardening, woodworking and fishing. When her kids were young she made most of their clothes.
In 1978 after the closure of the saw mill at Kinzua, the family moved to Ione. During this time she worked at various office jobs and had a part-time business as a bookkeeper and tax preparer. She was the office manager for the Morrow County Road Department when she retired in 1999.
Marie was involved in her community and was instrumental in creating a local Ione newsletter and also wrote Ione High School sports articles for the Heppner Gazette newspaper for a few years. Marie loved God and went to Africa one summer as a missionary to help spread his word.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joe Key; and son, Richard Henry.
She is survived by a sister, Barbara Shackelford (Gaylon); children, Lenora McClard (John), Tim Key (Shelly), Jeff Key; grandchildren, Stephanie Hudson, Gabe Nevala, Ryan Nevala, Jenny New (David), Emily Spike (Casey), Savannah Henry, Abby Villanueva (Tony), Justin Key; great-grandchildren, Nick Spicer, Savannah Nevala, Cutter Willis, Cass New, Jolie New, Cameron New, Emerson Spike, Landry Villanueva, Rory Spike, Braxton Villanueva, Rowan Villanueva; nephew Mark Shackelford (Debbie) and niece Stacey Simmons (Paul).
Memorials contributions in her name can be made to the Portland Rescue Mission at 111 W. Burnside Portland, OR 97209, www.PortlandRescueMission.org.
Services to be held at the Ione Legion Hall on Nov. 5 at 11 a.m. Please sign the online condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
