Mari (Beach) Yates Auxier, 74, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 31, 2023 at home.
Please join us for a celebration of Mari’s life 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, at the Kenai Performer’s Performing Arts Center on K-Beach Rd (behind Subway).
Mari was born in Saline, Michigan to Hubert and Catherine Beach. She graduated from Saline High School in 1966. While in high school, Mari was involved with Musical Youth International (MYI). She toured with a group of 50 choir and band members extensively in Mexico and Europe, to sing in a variety of cities and stayed with host families. She then went on to study at Michigan State University, studying Vocal Music. Marie moved to Reno, Nevada and worked as Project Coordinator for Desert Research Institute.
She met Allen Auxier in Hilo, Hawaii and set sail on the 42 ft Ketch “Tillicum”. They sailed around the Hawaiian Islands for about 6 months and then sailed back to the mainland. She moved to Bethel, Alaska and worked for the Kuskokwim Community College as the Human Resources Director.
Mari and Allen moved to Burley, Wash. in 1996 to open Spirit Gallery and Theatre (a dinner theatre) with husband Allen and partners Jerry and Jennifer Abbott in Tacoma, Washington. Prior to opening the Theatre, Mari and Allen were “formally” married in an outdoor “costume wedding” at Beasore Meadows in the Sierra Mountains of California.
They moved back to Soldotna, Alaska in 2000, and she worked for the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District as an Admin Assistant for the Assistant Superintendent. She retired in 2015 and loved working in her garden and greenhouse. Mari had been to the northern most point in the U.S.A. (Utqiagvik, Alaska) and the southern-most point (Hawaii).
She floated the Kuskokwim River and enjoyed all things on the water, including Personal Dip Net fishing.
Mari is survived by her husband, Allen; mother, Catherine Beach; sister, April and husband Adriaan Pronk; brother, Alexander and wife Annette; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends all over the world.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hospice or World Central Kitchen.
