Monday, June 6, 2016
We lived in Oroville during the construction of the Oroville Dam. When we learned that a family with seven children was moving in next door we didn't know what to expect! We had the privilege of having John and Marie as neighbors until we moved in 1968. Marie was such an amazing person. Her devotion to her family was a wonderful thing to see, especially her tender care of Jeff. Each child was unique with their own personality and she dealt with them all beautifully.
Marie would take breakfast orders even when I told her that with seven kids you make a big pot of oatmeal and announce, "here's your breakfast!" Christopher was a baby when they moved in. He systematically dismantled his playpen each day and every night John would put it back together. Their German Shepherd, Cappy" was also unique. He made friends with our cat and they spent time together visiting on the front lawn. All three girls were beautiful. They were our baby sitters, especially Kathy. Our kids loved for us to go out. She was grossly underpaid.
I will always treasure having Marie as a friend. I will miss her Irish sense of humor which allowed her to see the best of things. Marie was always so generous with her time. She taught me a lot about compassion. Our entire family sends our condolence to her family. They know they had the best.
