Marguerite Vairo Claflin

Marguerite “Margeux” was born September 14, 1939, to James Vairo and Wilma Vairo (McFarland) in Iowa City, Iowa. She died Monday, August 19, 2024, holding hands with her husband Mike, going to her eternal home and rest with Jesus.

Margeux was the 5th of 12 children and spent her childhood and teenage years in Williamson, Iowa attending schools in Williamson and Chariton. She left Iowa in 1957 going to Corpus Christi and other various naval ports of call, settling in Glendale, Arizona during the 1960s and then ultimately moving to and living in Yakima, Washington during the 70s and 80s. During this time, she was a devoted mother and homemaker to four beautiful children – three daughters and a son. Loving, caring and raising them all to adulthood, teaching them arts and crafts and getting great enjoyment from their musical talents.

She met Mike, the love of her life, on August 7, 1981, and was married on August 19, 1989. During this time, she embarked on a new career, graduating from Yakima Valley Community College in 1984 with a civil engineering technology degree. She worked for various engineering firms, construction companies and finally two different county transportation departments spanning two decades.

Mike introduced her to country music and dancing and she loved spending her weekends dancing until closing time. She was awestruck and marveled at God’s creation especially geology and rocks, bird watching and stargazing. The Lord blessed her with 6 grandchildren whom she adored spending time with, doting on them and showering them all with affection. She had a smile and personality that drew people to her, collecting many friends along the way. Margeux’s gift was evangelism and God used that smile to draw people in to hear the “Good News” – she talked passionately about her Lord and Savior.

She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Wayne, Jim, Donald, Eddie (Little Pete) and Gari, sisters Jane Owens, Joan Amos, and Merrijo Ellis, and her son Dennis. She is survived by her husband Mike, daughters Laura Scharf, Karen Cain and Susan Robinett, and grandchildren Natasha, William, Richard, Jeremy, Declan and Isabella.

She is missed greatly by her family and friends. The family will be holding a funeral service on September 7, 2024, at 2pm at the English Funeral Chapel in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho. A reception will follow at the Funeral Chapel. Streaming services will be provided for those who cannot attend in person.

These services will be recorded and streamed live. In the event the service is interrupted at any time due to technical issues, the entire service will be uploaded and available to view later in the day.