TAHOLAH — A Quinault elder who had worked for the tribe since 1978 and served on the tribal council has died.
Marjorie Valdillez died Thursday at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia. She was 72.
“Marjorie was loved by everyone who knew her here at Quinault Nation,” said President Fawn Sharp.
After attending Grays Harbor College and working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Taholah School and Indian Health Service, Valdillez went to work for the Quinault Nation in 1978.
She served as enrollment officer, office manager, operations manager and tribal secretary, and also served on the Quinault Tribal Council for many years, Sharp said.
“Marjorie always believed strongly in education. She earned a [Bachelor of Arts] degree from The Evergreen State College Reservation-based Program when she was 61, and she always supported education programs for others in the tribe,” Sharp said.
“We will all miss her very much, but her legacy will live on.”
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Salvador Valdillez; two daughters; three grandchildren; four sisters; and three brothers. She was the daughter of Mauro Basa and Violet Hudson.