Page 4 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - January 2024

4

IN LOVING MEMORY

Marie E. Connors
(Fricke) Griswold

July 22, 1930–Jan. 13, 2024
Chehalis tribal elder Marie E. Connors
(Fricke) Griswold passed away on Jan. 13,
2024, at age 93.
Marie was born on July 22, 1930, at home in
Oakville. She had five sisters – Mae, Barbara,
Geraldine, Alberta, Delores – all of whom
proceeded her in death.
Marie was active in tribal politics her entire
adult life. She was instrumental in the creation
of the tribe’s first casino. She talked about
the many tribal
discussions and
careful planning
that took place
before building Patricia Lee Youckton
commenced
and the doors Feb. 28, 1968–Jan. 12, 2024
opened.
In the early Patricia Lee Youckton, age 55, a lifelong
days, Marie resident of the Chehalis Reservation, died
managed the on Jan. 12, 2024, at Providence St. Peter
tribal bingo hall Hospital in Olympia. Pat was born on
and sat on the Feb. 28, 1968, in McCleary to David Merle
Tribal Gaming and Wendy Cecilia (Daniels) Youckton. She
Board. She also lived in Las Vegas and Tacoma for short
served on the periods, but she always came back to her
Tribal Health roots. She graduated from Oakville High
Board. School in 1986.
After Patty liked to hustle to make her living.
retirement, Marie enjoyed basketry. She She became a salesperson extraordinaire and
gathered with other elders to learn more found her passion in selling fireworks. She
weaving skills, share her skills and techniques made various friends through that endeavor.
and swap stories about early days on the Patty had many friends from all walks of life.
reservation. She enjoyed her trips to gather It seemed every time she walked into a place,
weaving materials. she knew someone. It was sort of like Cheers:
Marie’s home was always filled with drying “Where everybody knows your name.” That
grasses and cedar bark. For a short while, she was Patty.
was a member of the Native American Basket Patty never had children of her own,
Weaver’s Association. but that didn’t stop her from passing on a
Marie was also fond of playing bingo with mother’s love to her nephews and nieces. For Joann Jackson and Serena Rolfe; uncles
friends and spending time at the casino with them, her love knew no boundaries. Franklin Pope and Fredrick Pope; and best
her husband, Ray. She was a lifelong Seahawks fan and friends Sue Rollie and Dora Davis. She also
On casino days, she always had lunch with became a season ticket holder. During was survived by nieces and nephews Bruce Jr.
the elders. Stories were told and laughter was the Hawks’ power seasons, she traveled to and Ann Klatush, Aneva and Budd McMillan,
shared. various away games. Patty loved to play slot Valene Klatush and Frank Boyd, Rueben
Marie enjoyed traveling with the elders. A machines. She and her family would travel Chum, Josh Chum, Devin Boyd and Emily
definite highlight was when she attended the a lot. Many trips were to Vegas, Disneyland Ortivez, Nathan Boyd, Ashton Boyd, Ava
Seattle Mariners baseball training camp in and even San Diego. Her television was often Boyd, Shaylynn Cole, Carolann Black Lilah
Arizona. tuned into a game. It didn’t matter what it Aguilar, Enyo Visaya, Vincent Visaya, Tailor
Besides her sisters, Marie was proceeded was – WNBA, college games, Kraken – she Daniels, Jordin Godoy, Tristin Godoy, Jasmine
in death by her first husband, Allen Fricke, just loved to watch sports. Godoy and Jason (Jman) Jenson; great
mother Gertrude Parson Connors and father During the past few years, Patty battled nieces and nephews Xzavier Klatush, Sander
George Edward Connors. cancer. In the end, it was a battle she lost. Klatush, Kammi Klatush, Clarence Youckton,
She is survived by her three children, Linda, Even though she was sick from treatment Frank Boyd Jr., Leilani Boyd, Mia Boyd and
Allen and Laura. She is also survived by her and side effects, her open, caring side shone Kyron Boyd. Also surviving are special friends
husband, Ray Griswold, and his daughters through. Michael Simmons, Sara Johnston, Elaine and
Cindy and Kim. Marie leaves numerous Surviving relatives include her father, Rob Fazendin, Rose and Ken Choke and Chri
grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces David Youckton; sisters Rita Benda (and Baker.
and nephews. Brian), Angelena Boyd (and Daryl), Brandy She was preceded in death by grandmother
Marie was laid to rest at a graveside service Daniels and Danika Pickernell; brother Justin Irene Thompson, mother Wendy Daniels,
on Jan. 23, 2024, in the Benn Cemetery. Youckton; grandmother Dora Underwood; grandfather Clarence (Butch) Pope and
Frances Starr conducted the service. aunts Alicia Pope, Virginia Bringsyellow, nephew Daryl (Bubba) Boyd.