Marguerite Jean Vanderbilt

Marguerite Vanderbilt, of La Grande, died on June 18, 2006 at the age of 88 at the Grande Ronde Hospital following a gradual decline in her health over the past year.

Marguerite Jean Orr was born in Pontiex, Saskatchewan on November 10th, 1917, near the homestead where her parents, William Wallace Orr and Barbara Agnes Whittall Orr settled on the prairie. Marguerite attended grammar school in Regina, Saskatchewan as her family made their way through the depression years raising wheat, and bringing the first electricity, radio, and auto sales to their community.

At 13 Marguerite moved to Ormstown, Quebec where she finished high school before attending school in Plattsburg, NY. She then entered the Montreal Homeopathic Hospital Nurses' Training School, became a Registered Nurse. Marguerite then worked in Temiskaming, Ontario before returning to a hospital in Montreal where she met her husband, John William Vanderbilt, who was attending medical school at McGill University.

Marguerite married John William Vanderbilt on August 14, 1946 at his parents' home in Plattsburg, NY. As John was in the US Army, the couple moved numerous times over the next seven years, before moving out west to settle in La Grande where they raised their family at the foot of Mt. Emily. Marg loved to be involved in the community and was very active in Little League baseball, PTA, and many other organizations while her children were growing up. She was a wonderful and beloved mother who had many creative talents. She loved to cook and hand dip chocolates, and was a fine seamstress, artist, and crafter who brightened many gatherings with creative table decorations. A collection of her dolls dressed in her hand-sewn period costumes are on display in the Union County Museum in Union, OR.

In 1978, Marguerite and John moved to Carson City, NV for two years and then to Sitka, Alaska for another three before returning to La Grande, where they remained until both passed away. The Nazarene Church, Good Sam Club, a sign language group, and visits with her children and her many good friends were the primary sources of joy for Marguerite during the final chapter of her rich life.

Marguerite is survived by four children Robert Vanderbilt of Baker City, Jean McKern of Hood River, Peggy Vanderbilt of Portland, and Jim Vanderbilt of La Grande; ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Barbara Aldridge of Ormstown, Quebec and Carita Zumbrunn of Calgary, Alberta. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Vanderbilt, her daughter, Victoria Antonia Vanderbilt, and her sister, Eleanor Reid.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, June 29th at the Nazarene Church at 10:00 am with Pastor Mouse McKinney, officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of choice in care of Daniels Chapel of the Valley, 1502 7th Street, La Grande, Oregon 97850.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Connie and Duane Seaman and Alejandra Rodriguez at Country Rose Manor for the loving care they gave to Marguerite during this past year.