Borrego Sun - Since 1949

Marion Joan Bolaños, 87, of Redmond, WA, passed away surrounded by her loving family on May 1, 2024. She was born on July 18, 1936 in Newark, NJ, to Stephen and Mary (Killian) Gregorski. Marion graduated from Mary Louis Academy in Queens, NY in 1954. While still in high school, she met Raymond Bolaños, the love of her life, and they were married on June 23, 1956. In their almost 60 years of married life, Marion and Ray moved around the country, from the East Coast to the West Coast; but, the Greater Seattle area and Borrego Springs, CA, were the places that Marion and Ray ultimately called home.

A faithful, loving wife, Marion was devoutly Catholic. Her faith sustained her throughout life and into eternity. In addition to raising her five children, Marion was an accomplished bookkeeper, largely self-taught. She was fastidious with the books of successful family business operations, most notably the finances of two air freight companies, and several non-profit charities. Her generous philanthropy supported many worthwhile causes in her home communities and beyond. Marion's joys in life included singing, dancing the polka with her husband Ray, sharing good food, and most of all, her family. Because she was such an amazing cook and gracious hostess, Bolaños hospitality was legendary. She was tidy, hard-working and strict when she needed to be – yet always kind.

Marion is survived by her brother, Frederick Gregorski of Clarksville, MD, her five children: Raymond (Barbara) of Lake Tapps, WA; Teresa (Gary) Pulvermacher of LaCrescent, MN; Barbara (John) Kagerer of Anchorage, AK; Stephen Bolanos of West Seattle, WA; and Maria (Brian) Martin of Sammamish, WA, 15 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. Marion was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

As it was with her husband Ray's ashes, Marion's desire was to be buried respectfully at her husband's side, half at Holyrood, and half at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Borrego Springs, CA. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 4 p.m. on Friday, October 25 at St. Richard's Catholic Church. Our mother, Marion, will be buried alongside our father, Raymond, there at the church cemetery after the mass.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your local Alzheimer's Association chapter, or the worthy charity of your choice in Marion's name.