Marilyn Rose Van Wagoner

Marilyn is survived by her three sons Jim, Jeff, Craig, and her sister Cindy.

Marilyn was born on January 16, 1939. She was the oldest child of Frank and Rose Todaro.

Marilyn grew up in Rockford, Illinois and was a talented art major in her younger years.

Soon after high school she met her husband Jim who was a keyboard player in a band while visiting Rockford.

Her stories of her travels with Jim & The Rhythm Rogues, The Saints, & The Swing tips were always so funny.

In 1970 Marilyn and Jim moved to Phoenix, Arizona, while raising their three sons.

Marilyn worked for many years with ENT specialists Dr. Shill & then with Dr. Gambino & Dr. Ketter.

She enjoyed crossword puzzles, artwork, and playing cards. She was a loving wife, mother and had a heart of gold.

Marilyn simply wanted to love and be loved in return. She will be missed by us all.

Jimmy’s eulogy:

Everyone who knew Marilyn would agree she was a kind and loving person. She loved to tell stories from the past, especially of her early years with my father. Traveling with the band, the early years in Arizona raising 3 boys were some of her favorite stories. She told many of those stories more than a few times, but they were very special to her.

Mom would crack us up whenever we went out to a restaurant. Marilyn was menu challenged. She would’ve invariably begin asking the server all kinds of questions. “What kind of lettuce is in the salad because I don’t like Romain? Do you have Russian dressing because I don’t care for blue cheese? If I order my steak, well done, will it have any pink inside?”

Mom truly was the foundation of our family. Growing up if we needed something done, we went to Mom. She ran the household, and she did it with no complaints, because she loved my father, and she loved her 3 sons.

Mom was a self-proclaimed “Sweetaholic” who was far more interested in what was on the dessert plate than any main dish. Mom would prefer flan over a fillet, See’s candy over salmon.

Marilyn also had a very special relationship with her little sister, my aunt Cindy. They were best of friends and loved each other very much. I know Aunt Cindy deeply misses her older sister.

Mom was always kind, supportive and loving. She would often tell me that she loved me and that she was proud of me. I loved Mom very much and I’m proud to be her son.

Theresa’s eulogy:

I can’t speak of Marilyn’s younger years, but I can speak for the years that I was part of the family. Jimmy and I were very young and in love when I was first introduced to Marilyn and Jim. I remember being so welcomed into the Van Wagoner family. Dad and mom telling me that after they met me, they felt like I’de been a part of the family Forever. Marilyn welcomed me with open arms and treated me like the daughter that she had never had.

Marilyn and I used to love to shop together, especially the day after Thanksgiving, “Before it was Black Friday!.” We would go to the Sunrise Mall in Sacramento and spend hours at Weinstock’s (the modern-day Macy’s) shopping the sales racks. Marilyn would wear me out, having me try on hanger after hanger of outfits, never running out of energy. We would finish our day at The Garden Room Restaurant in Weinstocks having their signature Chinese chicken salad, Marilyn’s favorite. To be that young again and have those times back!!!

The only shopping I didn’t enjoy with Marilyn was at the grocery store. She was horrible at making lists, would wander off while I had armfuls of grocery items and then I would have to chase her across the length of the market to unload my items in the shopping cart, only to have mom go back to aisles we had already visited!!! We would then return home with her, realizing that she didn’t get everything she needed. I surmise she went to the market about five days a week.

Mom used to love to watch game shows, Wheel of Fortune being one of her favorites. Just like Pat Sajack retiring from the show this last week, mom took her last spin on Wheel of Fortune. Mare and Jim are reunited with the angels. May all of us keep them in our hearts and minds forever. Thank you, Marilyn, for sharing your love with me for 40 years. I love you.