Marilyn Joyce Russell

Born October 3, 1947 in Fontana, CA and passed Away on March 10, 2021 in The Woodlands, TX

A beloved wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, and friend to many, passed away on March 10, 2021 in The Woodlands, TX at Memorial Hermann Hospital. She now rests in peace with our Lord and her youngest son Brian.

Marilyn was born October 3, 1947 to Reuben and Mary Archer in Fontana, CA at the original Kaiser Steel Mill Hospital.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years Tom, her oldest son Tom, his wife Tricia and granddaughters, Catherine and Vivienne. She was preceded in death by her youngest son Brian who passed away a year ago. She is also survived by her oldest brother Jim and his wife Jean in Ventura, CA and her youngest brother Mike in Portland, OR.

During and after graduating high school in Fontana, Marilyn worked as a secretary for the Vice President - Counseling, Fontana School District.

Marilyn met her husband while in high school and they dated for two years before being married on January 22, 1966, at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Fontana by Fr Larry Kurlinski, a friend of the family.

Marilyn attended San Bernardino Valley College along with her husband until a work transfer necessitated by her husband's employer, Southern Pacific Railroad. They moved to Los Angeles and settled in Burbank. Marilyn was able to work for the railroad as a clerk-stenographer. While living there, they explored the greater Los Angeles area, coast and mountains as well as sampled the foods at many different restaurants.

After working in Los Angeles, her husband was transferred to El Paso, TX, a new experience for them culturally and geographically. Marilyn was also able to secure a transfer and work with the railroad while there. On weekends they traveled to Ruidoso and Carlsbad Caverns as well as the surrounding areas in New Mexico. They also spent considerable time in Juarez, Mexico and other local communities, shopping, going to the dog races and sampling the delicious Mexican foods. They took up horseback riding at Indian Cliffs Ranch and the surrounding desert.

After 18 months they were transferred to Roseville, CA and resided in Citrus Heights. Tom's oldest sister Mimi lived nearby and they spent time camping in the Sierra's and fishing for Salmon and Steelhead trout. They also spent their off hours visiting and exploring the San Francisco Bay area, The Napa and Sonoma Valley wine country as well as Lake Tahoe in The Sierra's.

After less than a year they were transferred back to El Paso, TX. Already acquainted with the area, they started where they left off. They picked up horseback riding, this time with friends, and had many adventures riding in the desert. Marilyn once had a standoff with a Coyote and fortunately it blinked first. The chase was on. Later when stopping to rest, they came across a number of Tarantula's, so it was back on the horse for a strategic retreat to the ranch and restaurant.

Marilyn took it in stride, pulling up stakes, looking for housing, furnishing their homes, making new friends, working, being a housewife and adjusting to new communities. After less than 2 years, once again they

were transferred this time to Colton, CA and were able to reside in Fontana where they started their life's journey. Fortunately, family was still around and they settled right in. Marilyn became pregnant while living there and her husband observed that although already a beautiful woman, she took on the "glow" of pregnancy and was excited to be expecting. Her husband and family doted on her when she gave birth to her son in San Bernardino. Thomas Randolph Russell was born on August 29, 1975.

Their time in Fontana was short-lived as again a transferred intervened, this time to Portland, and they resided in Milwaukie, OR, a suburb. Marilyn became a stay-a-home mom and thrived in this environment. As usual she made many new friends and in addition to taking care of her son, she joined a bowling league, a Bunco group and started to take golf lessons. Marilyn became pregnant again and on March 4, 1980 she gave birth to Brian Patrick Russell. Although very busy, her husband Tom observed she never looked happier. Unfortunately, her husband's work kept him traveling often, so everything was left for Marilyn to handle. On more than one occasion, Marilyn and the kids were able to join Tom on several work trips around Oregon, however all was not restful. On at least two occasions, Tom had to leave them stranded in hotels due to emergencies at work. On one occasion they were left stranded on the 7th floor of a hotel when the fire alarms sounded. The elevators didn't work so Marilyn had to carry Brian and hold Tom's hands while they descended the emergency stairs. The alarms sounded a second time later necessitating a repeat trip. Another time they were left stranded for 4 days in a hotel room. On weekends and vacations, they were able to travel to the Oregon coast many times, to Black Butte Resort with friends where they rode horses, took many passenger and historic train trips, and visited the Columbia Gorge numerous times. They visited Vancouver and Victoria, BC, via ferry and expanded their cultural exposure. While living in Portland, Mt. St. Helen's volcano blew up and covered their home, car and yard in ash. After a couple of years, they were able to visit the area, including the Ape caves and explored volcanic tubes under the area. With the stability of time, Marilyn was able to begin picking fresh vegetables and fruit and learned to can and preserve them. In addition to her mothering and household duties, Marilyn found time to help her husband to pour concrete sidewalks, patios and a foundation for their lawn building. She helped paint and stack firewood. She was resourceful and versatile.

After 10 years, their longest relocation to date, they were transferred to San Francisco and resided in Pleasanton, CA, a nearby family-oriented community. Not long after moving to Pleasanton, she disappeared on a walk in the rain for over an hour and returned home drenched. She missed the misty rain of Portland and just wanted to immerse herself in it. While on her walk she stopped to talk to an elderly gentleman who inquired about her getting wet. It so happened he was from Oregon and completely sympathized with her. Marilyn thrived in this community and became active in her children's schools, becoming a soccer, baseball and football mom. Marilyn tried to attend almost every game, including traveling for away games. She found time to start a local Bunco group which evolved into a husband/wife event. They were able to vacation in Hawaii as well as visit Disneyland, Universal Studios, the wine country, Lake Tahoe and once again, Victoria, BC. They were living in Pleasanton when the Loma Prieta earthquake struck. Everyone was accounted for except Brian who was playing with a neighbor's child on their cul-de-sac. Marilyn found Brian under a table with the other children practicing what they learned in school. It seemed the hours were longer than the day, but Marilyn took it in stride. While living there, the family moved Marilyn's mother from Southern California to be near them and she was able to join them on many of their excursions.

Again, Marilyn was called upon to move due to a transfer, this time to Denver, CO. They settled in Highlands Ranch, a suburb of Denver. Marilyn helped her mother move near them, resettling her several times, including doing the unpacking of both households. As a family they explored the local areas, including the Rocky Mountains.