Barbara E. DeMarco

Bobbie passed away peacefully on January 4, 2023 at her home in Zillah, Washington. She was born on March 29, 1930 in The Dalles, Oregon to Charles M. “Mack” and Janet C. Holley. Her parents were residing in White Salmon, Washington at the time, where her father and several maternal uncles were working on infrastructure projects in the Columbia Gorge. Some additional years of Bobbie’s early life were unexpectedly spent in the Midwest. After a planned summertime visit to paternal Aunties Bird and Ethel Holley in Cairo, Illinois became derailed by events of the Great Depression, the family was unable to return to the Northwest as planned and took up residence in Olive Branch, Illinois (Mack’s childhood home). Eventually, the family relocated to the Lower Yakima Valley in 1937, where she, her parents, new sister Jackie (Adkins-Myers) and maternal grandfather Swain Finch Chesley, initially set up home at Uncle Floyd Chesley’s dairy farm in the Brownstown area. She began her education at Harrah School. In 1943 the family finally moved to Zillah. Finch had already relocated his barbershop from White Swan and her parents were operating several Cafés in town before becoming cooks for the Zillah School District. Bobbie is a proud Leopard graduating from Zillah High School in 1948. In September 1949, Bobbie married Herron R. Wilson and soon afterward they began their family. While primarily a homemaker, she found time to work for Mount Arbor Nursery, Stokely’s, Perham’s, Stadelman’s, Zillah School District (as one of Wanda Roth’s Lunch Ladies), and ultimately the Town of Zillah as a Clerk. In late 1958, a Navy Recruiter showed up at City Hall looking for a “lost recruit.” Somehow, Bobbie convinced Herron it was him and after having served 6+ years in the Navy during WWII he reenlisted, returning to active duty in 1959. For the next 14 years the family spent assignments in Long Beach, California and Honolulu, Hawaii (where they initially retired). Upon returning to Zillah in 1973, Bobbie immersed herself into community activities as a Lifeguard/Manager for the City Pool, ZHS Cheerleader Chaperone, avid ZHS Booster Club Member, Substitute Teacher and the Ultimate Playground Monitor. Unfortunately, in 1986, Bobbie and Herron went their separate ways and she left Zillah once again. Bobbie remarried in 1988, resided in the Auburn/Kent area for a short period of time, and returned to Yakima in 1991 where she and husband Fred DeMarco owned and operated “Freddie’s Boxcar Diner” at Track-29. After Fred’s passing in 2003, she once again returned to Zillah residing with her daughter in the family home at the corner of Sunset and Kagley Way. Over the next 19 years, Bobbie actively attended City Council meetings, served on the Zillah Centennial Committee, managed the City Pool a few more times, supported the Zillah Alumni Banquet (which she was honored to have been a founder with Wanda Roth in 1957), and otherwise just continued to “run the family” while quietly devoting her best time to the Resurrection Catholic Church of Zillah Lady’s Guild. Bobbie was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, both husbands, and a daughter-in-law Laurie Anne Wilson. She is survived by three children, Rena A. Aumavae, Herron R. “Buck” Wilson, Jr. and Spencer M. Wilson (Susan) all of Zillah; eight grandchildren Erin F.M. Koerner (Nick) of Zillah, James J. Roberts (Nick) of Colorado, Richelle C. Fowler of Virginia, Heather C. Wilson (Billy) of Yakima, Herron R. “Heck” Wilson, III (Ally Ann) of Tacoma, Simone T. Wilson of Hawaii, Veronica H. Wilson of Oregon, and Laek S. Wilson of Zillah; five great grandchildren Wm. Logan Wilson (Yari) of Yakima, Hayden M. Carter of Yakima, Kapri A.K. Koerner of Zillah, Herron R. “Rufous” Wilson, IV of Tacoma and Finn G. Wilson of Tacoma; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and good friends around the valley and across the state and country. A very special thank you to Paula, Tammy, Ricky, Blake, Justin and Trevor…as Bobbie would say: “there’s always a damn Holden around, especially when you need one!” A Catholic Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Resurrection Church, 704 Schooley Road, Zillah. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at the Zillah Civic Center, 191 First Ave. Per Bobbie’s wishes, she has been cremated and a private inurnment will be conducted in the spring. Our thanks to Heggie’s Colonial Funeral Home in Toppenish for their professional and compassionate service. In lieu of flowers or cards, the family suggests donations be made to the Zillah Alumni Association and/or ZHS Booster Club. Love You Mom, TOODLES!

Barbara E. DeMarco

March 29, 1930 - January 4, 2023

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Barbara E. DeMarco

March 29, 1930 - January 4, 2023

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