Marie E. Pavlik

On June 18, 2026, our beloved mother, Marie Elaine Pavlik, passed away peacefully at Golden Oaks Residential Care in Follansbee, WV, surrounded by her daughters. She was born on June 11, 1943, in Friday Harbor, WA, to Nora and Theodore McKay. While she lived most of her 83 years in Bellingham, WA, she called Weirton, WV, her home for close to a decade.

Marie attended Bellingham High School, Bellingham Technical College, and the Regents College Nursing Program. She was incredibly proud of her nursing career, having entered the profession later in life than most. Her favorite nursing roles included working for Visiting Nurse & Hospice and later as an RN Case Manager.

Marie was highly intelligent and had a great sense of humor. Her many gifts included cooking, sewing, baking, knitting, crocheting, and tatting. She was very traditional and would not waiver from family recipes, which was one of many examples of her loyalty to her family. She also enjoyed learning about her biological family’s background and genealogy in general. She was a devoted member of the Catholic Daughters of America for 48 years. She was also a member of the Red Hat Society and, in her youth, sang with the Sweet Adelines. She was especially loving toward animals and was adamant about supporting the ASPCA, the World Wildlife Fund, and local animal shelters.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Peter, and her daughter, Tami Ortiz, who passed away tragically on the first day of 2026. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Lucretia Larsen, and brother, Gary McKay.

She is survived by her daughters, Cheryl Music (Robert) and Michelle Vidal (Celania); son-in-law, William Ortiz; grandchildren, Richelle Figgs (Bryan), Christopher Smurthwaite (Allison), Sara Ortiz Galentin (Eli), and Matthew Ortiz; and great-grandchildren, Rylan, Brydon, Anna, Graham, and Mallory.

A special mention goes to her devoted nephew, Mike Larsen, who was always there for her and truly brightened her day; her long-time friend, Jo An Siden; and the warm and caring staff of Golden Oaks Residential Care and the staff of Mullenbach Funeral Home in West Virginia for their professionalism and exceptional care in helping bring Marie home to Washington.

Vigil will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, at Westford Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at Church of the Assumption, with burial following at Greenacres Memorial Park.