Marvine Virginia Cirar

Marvine Virginia Mobley Cirar Ankenman of Banning, California, was born to loving parents Isaac and Goldie Mobley in the Roger Mills County town of Reydon, Oklahoma, on April 16, 1925. Two days before her 10th birthday, Marvine, the eldest of four siblings, endured the Black Sunday Dust Bowl storm, of which she had vivid memories. Despite Depression-era difficulties, Marvine always excelled in school, garnering ribbons in literacy and dressmaking. While attending Reydon High School, where Marvine graduated Valedictorian in the Class of 1943, she performed as a majorette in the school marching band, excelled on the basketball team, costarred in many plays, and earned numerous certificates for her proficiency and speed in typing and shorthand.

After graduation, Marvine moved to Wichita, Kansas, with a group of girlfriends to work at the Boeing Aircraft Plant. She met and fell in love with Dolph Cirar, the plant foreman, who was also from Oklahoma. When Dolph was drafted into the US Navy, Marvine joined the Army, and both were stationed in California, where they married in Oakland in 1946. They raised their two sons, James and Charles, in Pico Rivera and Whittier. Marvine and Dolph worked very hard, at times holding multiple jobs, to provide their sons with an idyllic childhood that included family camping trips, hunting & fishing, sports, and travels throughout California, Colorado, and Oklahoma to visit relatives. Marvine and Dolph instilled in their sons the value and importance of a strong work ethic and the imperativeness of attaining a formal education. A talented and skilled seamstress, Marvine enjoyed doll making, sewing, and crochet. For over 20 years, Marvine worked at North American Plywood, where she was eventually promoted to Sales Manager.

After the tragic and untimely death of Dolph in March 1970, Marvine, an assertive and strong-willed woman, persevered, assuming Dolph’s real estate and landlord responsibilities. Despite this hardship, Marvine would soon find happiness again. During a Catholic “singles event,” Marvine met the second love of her life, Nathan “Leroy” Ankenman, a widower to Martha, the mother of six! So, alas, Marvine, garnered a new love and an additional family in 1980 when she married Leroy. Marvine and Leroy enjoyed travel, cruises, square dancing, board games, friends, and family and continued to do so after they relocated from Whittier to Sun Lakes in Banning. An avid world traveler, Marvine visited several European countries as well as Egypt, Australia, Korea, and more. After 27 years of marriage, Leroy sadly passed in September 2007. Marvine remained close with her devoted Ankenman, Cirar, and Mobley sides of her family.

She continued to travel extensively with her sister Charlotte, often visiting family in Austin, Chicago, Florida, and Michigan. Always an energetic go-getter, Marvine taught exercise classes up until her mid-90s! What a life Marvine led that lasted nearly a century! Marvine was a determined, hardworking, talented, intelligent, and resilient woman who overcame numerous obstacles to be in charge and achieve the life she wanted.

Marvine is predeceased by husbands Dolph Cirar and Leroy Ankenman; sisters Joann and Maxine; stepson Karl Ankenman; and, stepdaughter-in-law Mary Ankenman. She is survived by her son James D. Cirar and his wife Cynthia, granddaughters Jennifer, Natalie, and great-granddaughter Alexandra Ball; son Charles D. Cirar and his wife Cathy Marlowe; stepson Patrick Ankenman and grandchildren Sean and Tonia Frederica; stepson Paul Ankenman, his wife Judy, and grandchildren Eric and Monica; stepson David Ankenman, his wife Kathryn, and grandsons Jonathan and Jordan; stepdaughter Ann Sansoucie and grandchildren Steve, Jimmy, and Vanessa; stepson Brian Ankenman, his wife Eve, and grandchildren Ashley and Dylan; siblings Charlotte DeMario and James “Bunk” Mobley; and, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.