Obituary of Marquita K. Call

On Tuesday, August 29, 2023, Marquita Call, loving wife and mother, passed away at the age of 80.

Marquita was born on April 23, 1943, in Vancouver, WA to Art and Lenora Gaiani (Bennett). She graduated from Camas High School in 1962.

Marquita has owned the Camas Gallery for the past 14 years. She was known for her infectious personality. She welcomed visitors to her gallery with warmth and enthusiasm and freely shared her historical knowledge of Camas. One visitor claimed Marquita is to Camas what Dolly Parton is to Pigeon Forge, TN. “One thing that will never change about Camas is its sense of wellness,” said Marquita.
“I love this very special town,” she said.

Marquita’s first job was at the Ideal Corner Cafe at the age of 15. She also worked at Dairy Queen with classmate Denis Hayes, the International Chairman of Earth Day. She and her friends started the first recycling center in Camas in the late 60s. She taught Sunday school at Zion Lutheran Church for 20 years, where her mother Lenora Gaiani served as superintendent. Her dad, Art Gaiani, built more than 50 homes in Camas. Her grandmother Marie Eymer played piano at the Liberty Theatre when it opened in 1927.

She is survived in death by her husband of 28 years, Dennis, her two children, Tom Johnston (Tracy), Jennifer Senescu (Jim), 2 stepchildren Darren Call (Tekla), Denise Hibbard (Joe), sister Melody Good, and brother Art Gaiani (Karen), and several grandchildren.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Marquita on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 2pm at Journey Church, 304 NE 4 th Avenue, Camas, WA.

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