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| 'Avy', a descendant of French Canadian immigrants, was born 17-Oct-1895 in Gentilly, Minnesota. When he was an infant, he and his extended family journeyed by boxcar to Moxee City, a suburb of Yakima, Washington. 'Merl', a descendant of Abraham Hutchings, was born 16-Jun-1899 in Crawford, Nebraska. Her family moved to the Yakima Valley by train in 1902. *** Excerpts from letters written by their daughter in law, Grace Fortier "Muriel used to tell us that because she was so small when she was born, they put her in a shoe box lined with soft cloths and placed her on the oven door to keep her warm." "Muriel graduated in 1918 from Yakima High School and was always proud of the fact that she was a classmate of Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. After high school, she played sheet music for her brother in law, Frank Lanterman, in his radio and music shop. She also often substituted at the Capitol Theater, playing background music on the organ for the old silent movies." "Uncle Edward [Hutchings] and Aunt Ella as [your] Dad knew them, had 5 children. They are buried in the cemetery in Yakima. Edward was grandfather Newman's brother. They used to go visit them quite often." "Grandpa was a veteran of World War I serving in the U.S. Navy as a Pharmacist Mate." *** Excerpts from letters written by their daughter, Patricia Parrish "Mother's family did not approve of her marrying that Catholic Frenchman from Moxee. She told me her parents at the last minute gave their consent and went with them by train to Lacey." "They were wed at St. Martins Jesuits College in Lacey, Washington. They were married by Avilla's uncle, Reverend Father Clement Regimbal. They were the first couple ever married there." *** Article from a saved Yakima Herald-Republic newspaper clipping "A.H. Fortier and Miss Muriel Hutchings, both of Yakima were married on August 3 at St. Martin's College at Lacey, Wash. Rev. C. Regimbal, uncle of the groom, officiating. The bride wore a suit of silvertone brown and a taffeta picture hat to match. She carried a shower bouquet of pink carnations and babybreath. Selections including "Ave Maria" and "Oh Bond of Love" were sung by the college choir. After the ceremony, Mr. and Mrs. Fortier left for a wedding trip to Sound points*. The young people have been popular employees of the T. G. Borthwick company for several years. They will be at home in this city after September 15." *Sound points refers to points of interest on Puget Sound in the Seattle, Washington area. *** Marriage Certificate Muriel and Avilla's Marriage Certificate *** Together, Muriel and Avilla raised 4 children. Avilla served his country in WW I and returned to see his children flourish. After a 66 year marriage, 'Merl' passed away 20-Jan-1986 in Yakima, Washington at the age of 87. 'Avy' passed on 28- May-1987 at the age of 91 in Seattle, their son Robert, a WW II veteran, at his bedside. They are interred in Calvary Cemetery, Yakima Washington.
1899-1986 Muriel Charlotte Hutchings Fortier *** Muriel told the family that she was related through her grandmother Ama Skinner to the famous playwright, Cornelia Otis Skinner, born 1899[4]. As it turns out, the two were descendants of Benjamin and John, sons of their common ancestor, Thomas Skinner. Thomas was born 25-Jul-1645 in Chichester, West Sussex, England and emigrated to the United States with wife, Mary [Pratt]. They raised their family in Colchester, New London, Connecticut.
For all you genealogy buffs, how many cousins once removed is that? Answer While we are comparing celebrity relationships, I might as well include this newly discovered link for Avilla:
Robert Goulet and Avilla Fortier were 5th cousins (just count the asterisks!) both descendants of Thomas Goulet (1590) and Antoinette Feillard of Mortagne, France. Their son, Jacques (1615-1688) was our first Goulet ancestor in Quebec) *** Muriel and Avilla met in 1919 while working at Borthwick and Ditter Brothers Department Store on Yakima Avenue in Yakima, Washington. Avilla was a salesman; Muriel, the bookkeeper. *** Memories of Grandma and Grandpa Fortier - by grandson I remember most those famous baked beans of Grandma's. I can still envision her holding that dark brown crockery pot at the stove door with arthritic hands inside of potholders. And there was the forbidden beloved Coca-Cola in the 5 cent bottles and Avilla’s home grown tomatoes. I can still smell them on the vine. They had an upright piano and we kids played Chopsticks, the only song we knew - endlessly. She loved her thin- legged Victorian end tables with the tall fringed lamps; the wire and glass plant stand with aromatic geraniums and violets blooming and the heavy wooden pedestal dining table, which made a marvelous fort when it wore a tablecloth. There were lots of tiny brown and gray slugs in the sprinkler system valve wells with wet and slimy wooden covers that Grandpa custom built. There was the dark stairwell that only went halfway up to a door that opened at a right angle to a more steep and narrow staircase which led to the upper bedroom, an addition that he built. It also took us to the low ceilinged attic space above the main house that smelled like fresh paint and old clothes and magazines. And there was the triple mirror hutch upstairs where we spent hours studying our reflections. I loved each Christmas get together when all the aunts and uncles and cousins came to play and cook and eat and open presents from each other. There were weekly visits to Auntie Pearl and Uncle Earl's amazing Bavarian styled house with the cuckoo clock with the broken bird, a fish pond made with lava rocks and the scary yellow glass-eyed, mountain goat head in their basement. And I loved riding in Muriel’s 3-tone cream, fuchsia and lavender '56 Dodge to get there. I remember Grandpa’s marvelous detached double garage with the home-made locks, bolts and security gadgets: It smelled of gas and oil and dust; dry leaves and linen rags and warm tire rubber and the doors opened like an accordion. He had every tool imaginable and they all had a place on the wall or on the bench and were always properly stored. I watched Grandma sitting at her makeup table, powdering her face. Her bedroom smelled of roses and White Shoulders perfume and there were lots of little fluid filled glass bottles with atomizers and a collection of creams and potions in tiny colored ceramic jars. Her hair was always permed in tight curls and she wore long, flower patterned dresses - always holding a white hankie in her upturned hand. Grandpa would sit in his favorite easy chair after dinner to read the newspaper and in a short time we would notice him with his head tilted back, mouth drawn open, sleeping soundly with glasses on; the sound of his snoring filling the room. *** Memories of Grandma and Grandpa - by granddaughter, Kathy Grandma: We usually would go to grandma and grandpa's house every Sunday (or it could have been every other Sunday) for dinner and either have fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn or a pot roast. For dessert it would be apple pie with either ice cream or a slice of cheddar cheese on top. While our mom was visiting with grandma we got to play with the neat wooden blocks that would slide together. Then if I was careful I would get to take the porcelain doll out with the eyes that moved. The wall in the hallway had magneto phone. I loved to roll around on the square leather foot stool. It was small, but just the right size. I remember playing Chinese checkers with grandma and swinging in the canvas covered swing in the backyard. That’s where we would have an afternoon treat. We spent hours coloring at the kitchen nook and when you looked up into the plants you would see grandma’s handy-work in the peanut men that would be hanging from the arms of the plants. She made the peanut men out of peanut shells and had pipe cleaners for the arms and leg and paint a face on them. I thought that was cool and a bit mystical at the same time. Cousin Sue and I would come and visit for a couple weeks in the summer and we got to share the back guest room. We would play with our plastic horse sets for hours then in the evening take a ride and get ice cream. I loved the kitchen with all its wonderful smells especially the junk drawer. It had this old tool like smell that you know if you opened it, you would find what you are looking for. The house was always clean. I don’t remember even seeing any dust on the furniture. If any crumbs were spilt during a meal then the vacuum cleaner would come out. Grandma would always sit in her bedroom putting on her face powder and lipstick (her morning ritual) dare she be seen without her makeup on. The bathroom colors would be pink and a light green. A pretty combination I thought. Grandpa: After Avilla got a dishwasher, he would still wash the dishes in hot water before putting them in the dishwasher. One of us kids would dry if we had an over flow of dirty dishes. He was handy at making things like the big bird feeders for the backyard that looked like a house. He would then grind bread up in the meat grinder and feed the bread crumbs to the birds. He also had made a doll house that would spin around. That was cool! I remember the time when Avilla got a new leaf picker upper and we were excited to use it. It was like a huge spreader that sucked up the leaves in a bag so when we came over in the fall he put us to work. When we got to spend the night, my brothers would always get to share the double bed and I was always on the floor on a twin mattress at the top of the stairs. The walls were covered in pretty pink tiny flowers which made the room pop out as if it were in a field of flowers. The floors were hardwood with a very thick throw carpet. Just to the right of the upstairs was an attic door that you stepped up to. It was usually off limits but we managed to peek in there occasionally seeing if we could find why we weren't suppose to be in there in the first place. So when we got to spend the night, grandpa (Avilla) would come creeping up the stairs after the lights went out and scare the bijibbidies out of us. He pretended to be the boogie man and you could hear Grandma in the back ground yelling "Avilla, leave those kids alone". Grandpa would give us 15-25 cents and we would go on a long walk (with Mike leading the way) to buy a comic book, a balsa wood airplane and some penny candy. The bathroom always smelled of Ivory soap and in the morning, if you were lucky, you got to see Grandpa’s teeth soaking in a cup in the bathroom. *** Memories of Mary Lou, daughter of Avilla & Muriel - by nephew My recollections of childhood visits to my Aunt and Uncle's house in Yakima are vague at best. I was more interested in the cousin who was my age and the neat toys she had. I do recall the Ford. There was always a Ford; never any other make. Their family moved to Seattle about the time we moved there. I remember their house with its unique black and white siding, the hanging ball in the garage used as a target for parking, and the knotty pine walls, floor and ceiling of the upstairs bedroom they remodeled for their daughter. Aunt Lou had an infectious half giggle, half laugh, which was exuberantly manifested at every family gathering. Her inner child was never far from the surface and just being with loved ones would set her free. The sea was a huge part of her being. A boat my Aunt and Uncle owned was seldom docked. Puget Sound, with its many beaches and islands was their playground. And she loved hunting for oysters almost as much as eating them, to the degree that only others so inclined could appreciate. My father was her equal in this obsession and they shared many backyard BBQ's and picnics where the contest was to gobble them down: roasted, steamed or raw. At Christmas time, when we all came together to celebrate the holidays, she would host some of the most memorable dinners. I anxiously looked forward to consuming her trademark deep-fried rosettes dusted with powdered sugar. And, it was she who introduced me to deviled eggs and veggie trays. I recall pitted black olives so big that the hole was larger than the tip of my finger and, being a kid, I inserted one on every digit and thumb - at every meal! Her kitchen walls sported Jell-o molds and porcelain chickens. And in one corner was a cage for the family parakeet, which on one visit escaped to the amusement of all and fluttered from head to head in the living room. The excited bird finally landed on my mother's freshly permed hair and made a warm deposit. I don't think anyone present will ever forget that moment. Not without a smile. Only her love for her two daughters surpassed her robust love of life. We lost her too soon, but her spirit resides in the hearts of those who were privileged to know her. Through her children and their children, she will remain a living part of generations to come. 2 children; 5 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren *** Memories of Mary Lou - by niece, Kathy Don’t forget that Aunt Lou was the queen of getting rid of slugs. She would be out in her garden poking those little slimy creatures and eliminating their existence. I remember Perky the parakeet and getting to eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on white bread. Yum! *** Memories of Patricia Ann Parrish - by her son, David [5] Pat (Patricia Ann) Parrish was called to work in Our Lord's Gardens on August 7th 2008. She passed on due to complications from hip surgery. Pat was born September 29, 1930 to Avilla and Muriel Hutchings Fortier. She was a proud descendant of Yakima's pioneering families: Fortier, Hutchings, Lanterman and Regimbal. She was raised across the street from St. Paul's Cathedral with her brother Robert, and sisters Mary Lou and Joanne. Pat attended St. Joseph's Academy (1944-48) where she was student body president. She continued her education at Yakima Valley College. While attending a dance at YVC, Pat met the love of her life, Lew Granville Parrish. They were married in St. Paul's Cathedral in 1951. After moving to Seattle where Lew attended the University of Washington, they started their family, the 3-D's: David, Dick and Doug. Pat loved the wonders of nature; the ocean and lakes; the plants and animals. She shared this love with her family on camping trips throughout Washington. She loved eating freshly caught crab and oysters by the campfire followed by a family walk gazing at the stars. Pat and Lew eventually built a family cabin near a favorite camping spot on Mayfield Lake. She cherished the time spent at "The Lake". Pat loved animals. The family had dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks, a pet? skunk and even "Maggie" the Magpie who after Pat healed its injured wing decided to stay with the family. Pat spent hours in her gardens. Every year family and friends would receive an abundance of vegetables and canned fruits. We have no idea what she did with all that zucchini. In the 70's you may have remembered her strutting down the fashion runway as a model for The Bon Marche and Dee Anns. Meanwhile, Pat's family grew as her boys married bringing Dianne, Teresa and Sylvia into her family. The grandchildren - Pat loved her grandchildren. Andrew, Jeremy, Ashley, Nicole, Jessica and Julia all have fond memories of making mud pies with Grandma, going through the costume trunk and playing "dress up", making snow angels and snowmen. They will never forget those wonderful Christmas visits. Pat was very proud of all her grand children's many accomplishments. If you knew Pat, you would know about her grandchildren. Pat also has an extended family of nephews, nieces and neighborhood children. At times her house would look like a day care center. She loved it. On Halloween, her West Chestnut house was a popular destination. For years kids from all over Yakima lined up to see the woman with the scraggly black hair and green face, but the disguise was soon broken by her kind smile. Holidays were special for Pat because she loved to cook. She was happiest in the kitchen with her family, cooking turkey, grinding sweetbreads for homemade tortellini or baking for her friends. She loved to have the family over for the big holiday meals. Pat's kindness has touched so many people, family, friends and the hundreds of children that came to visit every Halloween. We have all been very fortunate and blessed for having known this wonderful woman. *** Cemetery Records can be found on the Fortier Family Notes page. Scroll to the bottom of that page. *** Credits Thanks to contributors Robert and Grace Fortier, Granville and Patricia Parrish, to Patrick T (for sharing his copy of Avilla and Muriel's marriage certificate), to Lynda T (a descendant of Orange Skinner, for corrected dates and places in the Skinner chart above), and to David L Parrish for this obituary remembrance (content was edited to remove some private information) Thanks to other named contributors for sharing their stories. Thanks to Billy Coker for his photo, "Moxee Hops" used here as the cover for this page. Data listed is for entertainment purposes only with no guarantee of accuracy © 2005-2012 SB ancestry™ All Rights Reserved Images, text or information found herein can not be used for commercial purposes. |
| Last Update 21 Dec 2008 |
| Moxee Hops photo by Billy Coker © 2008 |
| Merl & Avy |
Fortier
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| SB ancestry™ |
| Avilla Hilaire Fortier and Murial Charlotte Hutchings |