Marie Selland

I just learned from the Soapstone newsletter that actress Marie Selland died recently.

We are sad to announce that Marie Selland Taylor died on October 28 from complications following heart surgery. Her friends are honoring her memory with a Stone for Soapstone engraved in her name. If you would like to be part of that effort send a check to Soapstone, 622 SE 29th Avenue, Portland, OR 97214 with a note indicating that it is for the Marie Selland stone. For more information about Soapstone, go to htty://www.soapstone.org.

Formerly married to director Sam Peckinpah, with Hollywood credits including the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Marie moved to Portland and established an acting career here, marrying videographer Tom Taylor. She played major roles in two of my plays in the 1980s: as Dotty the bartender in Country Northwestern and as the narrator in 1934: Blood and Roses, about which Taylor made a good documentary video, "Will It Be You?" I ran into Marie a few years back for the first time in years. There was more than one former Hollywood actor in town in the 80s, adding to the vitality of our theater scene. I have very fond memories of Marie and her good work on stage.

TAYLOR, CECILIA MARIE SELLAND 1927-2006. Cecilia Marie Selland Taylor was born Oct. 22, 1927, in Happy Valley, Calif. She died Oct. 28, 2006, from complications following heart surgery at Providence St. Vincent Medical Centerl. She attended Fresno State University and married Sam Peckinpah in 1946, raising their four children. Marie worked for decades as an actress; first in television and film in the '50s, and later with various repertory theatres in Southern California including Pasadena Repertory, San Diego Repertory, and the West Coast Theatre Company. She married Tom Taylor in 1980 and came to Oregon where she worked with Storefront Theater, New Rose Theater, Shakespeare in the Park, Actors Repertory Theater, Cygnet Theatre, and the Labor Players. In 1986 she wrote and performed "Cecilia's Daughter" and throughout the '90s was involved with Dreamswell Studio where she wrote and performed several works including "The Wendy and Marie Show" (with Wendy Westerwelle), "Dive," and "An Evening with Edna St. Vincent Millay" (with Carol Erdman). She was selfless with a text, fun, and enriched us all. Marie was also a passionate and inspired cook, who created and, for a number of years, ran a catering company in Portland called Marie's Kitchen. Exceptionally generous with her time and affection, she always provided sanctuary for those in need. Marie is survived by her beloved and devoted husband, Tom Taylor; her children, Sharon Marcus, Kristen Dennis, Melissa Peckinpah and Mathew Peckinpah; siblings, Vernon Selland, Judy Selland, Anne Esposito and Stanley Selland; many grandchildren, stepchildren, nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends. Contributions in her memory may be made either to the Oregon Cultural Trust, Salem, Oregon, or Sisters of the Road Cafe. A memorial service will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, at the Northwest Cultural Center at N.W. 18th and Everett.