Marva Pelander passed away peacefully on May 17th, just two days before what would have been her 80th birthday, after a courageous battle with Corticobasal Degeneration, a rare and progressive neurological disorder. Though her passing leaves an immeasurable void, the warmth, love, and light she brought into every life she touched will endure far beyond her years.

Marva is survived by her beloved husband, James Pelander, whom she had known since their time together in Junior High. Marva attended Clover Park High School her sophomore year before continuing on to Lakes High School, where she was an enthusiastic and spirited cheerleader and graduated in 1964.  It was at Washington State University, where both Marva and James attended and graduated, that their friendship blossomed into a beautiful love story. Their bond, rooted in the innocence of youth and strengthened through the journey of college life, carried them through a lifetime of shared adventures, laughter, and devotion. She is also survived by her cherished children, Rhyan Madle (Keith, spouse) and Jedd Pelander (Lindsey, spouse), her adored grandchildren, Jackson and Reese Pelander, and her niece, Heidi Pelander Juergens.

Marva dedicated over three decades to shaping young minds, teaching in the Clover Park School District from 1968 to 2002. She began her career at Lochburn Junior High School before making her lasting home at Clover Park High School, where generations of students were fortunate to learn under her guidance. Her commitment to education extended well beyond the classroom. She gave generously of her time and talents to the Tacoma Proctor District, where she oversaw the beloved Junior Daffodil Parade for ten years and wrote grants that helped sustain and strengthen the Proctor District Association. Her creative vision and tireless work left a mark on the community that will be felt for years to come.

Those who knew Marva well knew that her creativity was a gift she shared freely. She had a natural talent for home decorating and an extraordinary ability with a needle and thread, often sewing her own clothing and crafting the gymnastics leotards her daughter Rhyan wore with pride. Her hands were always busy, always making, always giving.

Family was the true center of Marva's world. She and James filled their lives with adventure, spending countless days boating and camping with their children — traditions that Rhyan and Jedd have lovingly carried forward with their own families. Some of the family's most treasured memories were made at their home on the water in Gig Harbor, where lazy afternoons on the tire swing, fishing off the dock, lively parties, and glowing bonfires became the fabric of a childhood filled with joy and belonging. Marva and James also treasured their travels, with Las Vegas and Hawaii holding a special place among their favorite escapes together.

Marva's devotion to her children extended far beyond the home. She endlessly played carpool, shuttling Rhyan to Puget Sound Gymnastics where she also led the booster club with the same enthusiasm and dedication she brought to everything she touched. She traveled to every gymnastics meet she possibly could, cheering Rhyan on from the stands with unwavering pride. That same tireless support was on full display for her son Jedd, for whom she never missed a baseball or football game. Whether on the gym floor or the playing field, Marva was always there;  the loudest, proudest, and most devoted fan her children could have ever asked for.

That deep love for the water never left Marva. Later in life, she quietly and characteristically put her heart into one of her most cherished projects, by gently but persistently pitching the idea of a beach house in Longbranch to the family. Her vision became a reality, and that beloved retreat became yet another place where we could gather, laugh, and build the kind of memories she had always believed were life's greatest treasure.

Perhaps what defined Marva most, however, was simply who she was as a person. Those fortunate enough to have known her will attest without hesitation that she was among the most caring, loving, joyful, intelligent, and deeply positive souls one could ever hope to meet. Even in her final days, surrounded by family and close loved ones in hospice, Marva's instinct was not to focus on herself, but to ensure that the other patients around her received the same attention and small joys that she was able to enjoy. In her last chapter, as in every chapter before it, Marva Pelander was thinking of others.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt and special thanks to those whose loyalty and love were felt deeply throughout this journey. Dear friends Chris Hanson, Sue Boesel Holder, and Carol Pelander made regular visits to Marva's side, offering comfort, companionship, and steadfast support to both Marva and the family during one of the most difficult chapters of their lives. Their presence was a true gift, and the family is forever grateful for the grace and love they showed during this time.

In keeping with the life she lived, always near the water, always surrounded by the people she loved — Marva's ashes will be spread over the Puget Sound, between the Gig Harbor house and the Longbranch beach house, the two places that held so much of her heart, as her final resting place.

She will be profoundly missed and forever loved.

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths." -- Elisabeth Kübler-Ross