Obituary for Jean Fleming

Jean Fleming was born on April 10, 1945, in Wilmington, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Jess T. Barksdale and Charlene A. (Hughes) Barksdale. Her family lived in New Mexico, but her father was stationed in Wilmington during WWII which caused her to be born there. After the war the family returned to their home in New Mexico. She spent her early years in New Mexico and then in about 1950 the family moved to Oregon where she attended grade school. When her father accepted a position with the Grant County PUD the family moved again, this time to Washington in 1959. Jean would live in Eastern Washington for the remainder of her life. The family originally lived in Ephrata but moved to the Wanapum dam housing project in the early '60s. She and her sister were bussed to Quincy to attend high school, where she graduated in 1963. She married Charlie Keith in 1966 and they had one daughter, Deborah Lou Keith, Jean's only child. The couple divorced and many years later she married Mike Fleming and they too divorced.

She lived in Othello, Moses Lake and Ephrata during her life. She was employed in several local businesses in both Moses Lake and Ephrata. She worked at both IGA and Safeway stores, worked many years at Ross Automotive and most recently retired from her job at National Frozen Food Company. Jean was an animal lover, and, in her house, you would always find her current cat companions. Later in life dogs were added to the menagerie. Until her health declined, she was visible in her community making many dear friends along the way. Her life-long friend and roommate Mardi Carroll was her most enduring friendship that spanned many decades. Jean is survived by her daughter Deborah Lou Keith, her sister Margie Lou (Barksdale) Leystra, her 3 grandchildren - Kameron Firouzi, Kayleeanna (Firouzi) Williams and Kristina (Firouzi) Hallberg and 7 great grandchildren. In addition, she is survived by many nieces and nephews. We unexpectedly lost Jean on February 14, 2024. We are immensely saddened by the tragic circumstances of her untimely death. Her absence will be deeply felt by her many friends and family who loved her. A Celebration of Life for both Jean Fleming and Mardi Carroll is set for April 20th, 2024 at 11:00AM at the Ephrata Recreation Center. Food will be provided. Please come to share in fellowship and memories to honor these two remarkable women. Condolences for Jean can be sent to: Deborah Keith, 1268 East 11000 South, Sandy, UT 84094 Donations in memory can be sent to: American Legion Art Semro Post 28, 276 8th Avenue NW, Ephrata, WA 98823

"On Wednesday, February 14, 2024, loving mother and grandmother, Martha “Mardi” Ann Carroll (Trask) passed away at the age of 76 in Ephrata, WA. Born in Hanau, Germany on November 20, 1947; Mardi was born by the name Brigitte Maria to Elise Liselotte Ruffer. In search for a better life for her

daughter, Mardi’s birth mother placed her for adoption at a very young age where she finally found her forever home with her parents, Raymond Harrison and Lucia Elizabeth Trask in Moses Lake, WA.

Growing up in Mae Valley, she enjoyed country life especially riding her horse.

In 1966, Mardi graduated Moses Lake High School and spent the majority of her life living in Moses Lake until she finally retired to Ephrata, WA. She spent the span of her working years in the service industry and spent her retired years in the service of others. During her life, she served in many roles and positions to honor our American Veteran’s and the Ephrata community. Most recently she was a 20+ year member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the 9th District Auxiliary President, President of the Ephrata Historical Society, the Secretary of the Columbia Basin Carriage Club, Secretary and founding member of her Chip Toss league and was a previous long time member of the Soap Lake Rod and Gun Club. Mardi was a lover of animals, especially basset hounds and could very often be heard jokingly saying she liked them more than most people. She loved to camp, travel, the color purple as shown by her signature purple hair streak and

found the ocean as her happy place. A lifelong football fan, she was always willing to bet a friendly wager on any game and could almost daily be seen wearing something with her beloved Seattle Seahawks.

Most importantly she will be remembered as an amazing mother, grandmother, friend and confidant who was always willing to listen to someone, offer advice, a big hug and if you were lucky enough, a big kiss. She loved her son immensely and her grandchildren even more. Her lifelong friendship was Jean Fleming

that spanned many decades and sadly joined her in the tragic accident that led to their passing.

Mardi was preceded in death by her parents Ray Trask and Lucia Trask-Engles (Hughes). She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Terra Carroll (Dowers) and grandchildren Tyler Scott, Grant Harrison and Abigail Elizabeth Carroll.

A Celebration of Life for both Mardi and Jean is set for April 20th, 2024 at 11:00am at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 112 Basin St SW, Ephrata, WA 98823. Food will be provided. Please come to share in fellowship and memories to honor these two remarkable women. Mardi’s final resting place will

be at the Pacific Ocean to return her one final time to where she always felt at peace.

Condolences can be sent to:

Michael Carroll, 9518 N. Atlantic, Spokane, WA 99218.

Donations in memory can be sent to:

American Legion Post 28, PO Box 904, Ephrata, WA 98823

(OR)

Fibrolamellar Cancer Foundation,

20 Horseneck Lane, 2nd Floor, Greenwich, CT 06830."