Marianna Babich-Powers
Apr 13, 2018Born and raised the in the Yakima Valley, Marianna (Mary) was the eldest of John & Anita (deceased) Babich’s five children.In her youth Marianna was active in the valley 4-H program where she participated in the annual Dress Revue, Toppenish Jr. Livestock Show, Yakima & Grandview Fairs and numerous community service programs. Ever the artistic one, she was often called upon to put this talent to use in decorating parade floats and crafting fair displays during her time in 4-H.Marianna was an avid seamstress and an extraordinary cook, skills she learned from her mother Anita. In her later years she shared these valuable talents with many young people through the Harrah 4-H program. Not one to waste a thing she was known to craft men’s ties and blue jeans into quilts for friends and family. Most recently she teamed up with her son James to open the Farmhouse Café in Harrah, WA where she was known to whip up a tasty coleslaw and a scrumptious cinnamon roll.Marianna was a voracious reader and could devour a book in a sitting and recall years later the minute details of the book. She loved all things feline and shared her home with husband Tom and four kitties; a cat might be considered to have won the lottery if it crossed paths with Marianna. After double knee replacement Marianna discovered the joy and exuberance of Zumba dancing and could be found at the local gym or Zumba class even after spending all day at work.As Postmistress of the Harrah Post Office she met and befriended many and was always ready to lend a hand and an ear. Smart, witty and succinct, she could be counted on to call it as she saw it. She enjoyed sharing and posting on Facebook, cats figuring prominently along with other articles that expressed her thoughts and feelings.She is survived by her husband Tom, son James (Rose) Mills, father John Babich, sisters Cecile Babich Morrow and Janine Babich, brothers John Babich and Mark Babich, daughters-in-law Kimberly Smith (Phillip), Stephanie Long (Daniel), and Michelle Powers, granddaughter Shealynn ... (Yakima Herald-Republic)