Wanda Earlene Rivers, 63, died May 26, 2005 at United General Hospital, Sedro-Woolley following a short illness. She was born Feb. 26, 1942 in Cumby, Texas to Thomas Dwight and Hazel (Bloyd) Marlar.
Wanda was raised in Cumby. Following high school, she married Gary M. Rivers in Grand Prarie, Texas on July 2, 1960. Gary was a young sailor in the U.S. Navy and Wanda became a Navy wife and mother. The Navy sent the Rivers family to San Diego, Calif.; Pensacola, Fla.; Kingsville, Texas; and on to NAS Whidbey Island in 1970.
Oak Harbor became permanent home for the Rivers. Wanda worked for Melco Corporation of Oak Harbor for many years, working her way up to a supervisor’s position.
Wanda was a talented artist, specializing in tole painting and oils. She taught tole painting and owned her own retail shop for a time. She was a long-time member of the Lighthouse Christian Center of Oak Harbor.
Wanda’s greatest love was for her family. She was a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and matriarch of her family. She also enjoyed gardening, flowers and traveling in her RV.
Wanda is survived by her husband Gary at the family home, Oak Harbor; by her mother Hazel Marler of Sulphur Springs, Texas; and by five children and their spouses: Martie G. and John Gallagher of Birdsview, Wash.; Tommy L. and Marilyn Rivers of Mount Vernon; Becky A. and Walter Thomas of Vermillion, S.D.; Brian D. and Andrea Lynn Rivers and Richard K. Rivers, all of Oak Harbor.
Wanda is also survived by one brother, Arthur Ray Marlar of Cumby, Texas and by 15 grandchildren: Phillip and Matthew Mangiocopra of Southington, Conn.; Adam Rivers of Desert Hot Springs, Calif.; Sarah Doherty of Westfield, Mass.; Rebekah, Rachel, Elizabeth, Hannah, Abigail, and Joshua Rivers, all of Mount Vernon; Shawnet and Derek Thomas of Vermillion, S.D.; Keoni Lynn, Bailey Max and Maile Pearl Rivers, all of Oak Harbor, and one great grandchild Corbin Blais of Vermillion, S.D. Wanda’s father Thomas, one son Robin Ray Rivers and one brother David “Sonny” Marlar preceded her in death.
Funeral services for Wanda Rivers will be held Thursday, June 2, at 1 p.m. at Lighthouse Christian Center, Oak Harbor with Pastor Bob Burke officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Leaf Cemetery. Visitation for family and friends will at Burley Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, June 1, from 12 noon to 8 p.m. Memorials in memory of Wanda may be made to the American Cancer Society. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
