Our lovely mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Marion Bernice Metz, went peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Friday, April 12, 2013. She gently left us surrounded by her loving family and friends in such a tender and beautiful way. She was a beautiful lady with poise and elegance and a wonderful matriarch who cared deeply about her family and always tried to make things special and fun. She was a great friend to all of us and the special glue that held our family together! She had a passionate and abiding, loving relationship with Jesus Christ and modeled that love to her family and all who really knew her. We love you and will miss you more than words can say. Marion Bernice Metz (Frafford) was born January 4, 1927, in Halliday, North Dakota to Bjarne and Belva Frafford on a farm. She was the youngest of 5 siblings, 2 brothers (Marlin, Loren) and 2 sisters (Elaine, Ruby). After graduating from high school in 1945, she moved to Portland, OR to work and live. Marion worked at Montgomery Ward for 3 years then moved to Yakima, WA, and later on to Tri-Cities, WA. She modeled fur coats and other clothing at Saylor's Women's Apparel. Marion worked for the Corp. of Engineers and Camp Hanford in the Quartermaster Supply. She met and married Dale Metz in 1953. They had 2 children, Lynn and Leiah. Along with her marriage to Dale she acquired 2 stepsons, Kay and Gary. Marion worked for a construction firm that built Phillips Chemical Co. in Finley. WA, and after that was completed she was the first employee hired to work directly for Phillips Chemical. While working there, in 1954, Dale and Marion opened Metz Marina on Clover Island, in Kennewick, WA. Marion worked at Phillips until her daughter was born in 1964. Marion owned and worked at Metz Marina until it was sold in 2003. Marion and her husband enjoyed many travels abroad and in the U.S. during their marriage. They were blessed to be able to see Europe, Egypt, Israel, the Caribbean, and the Hawaiian Islands. One special trip was to Las Vegas to see Elvis Presley perform, but her favorite trips were to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Marion really enjoyed traveling with her husband, but her favorite times were with her family. Marion was so beautiful and gracious, yet so humble to others. Marion's family was the love of her life. She was so sweet and soft spoken. She was a very faithful and loyal person that relied on God to give her strength. She was a true beauty inside and out. Marion is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Marlin, Elaine and Loren, her stepson Gary, and her husband Dale. She is survived by her stepson Kay (Viva), son Lynn (Robin) and daughter Leiah (Chris) and 12 grandchildren (Lanisha Metz, Charity Johnson, Tricia Porter, Christa Bean, Ryan Kuemper, Michael Metz, Kylie Freeman, Rorey Kuemper, Sarah Matson, Josh Peale, Connor Peale, Emily Kuemper) and 9 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Mueller's Tri-Cities Funeral Home on 10th and Union Street in Kennewick at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2013. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Union Gospel Missions, Wounded Warriors, Make a Wish Foundation, or a charity of your choice in Marion's name.