Marlene Murray Wilson

Freckles spilled across her face. This fair faced North Dakota girl was destined to be a heart teacher.

She was born on March 5, 1931, the oldest of six children. She weighed in at a mere 3 pounds and spent the first part of her life in a shoe box behind the warm stove. Even doll shoes would not fit her tiny feet.

Her mother, Helen, was a Koehler, German. Her father, George, was a Murray, Irish, and English. It was a time, when America worked the land and families sat together for meals.

Marlene worked for over 7 years for Gold Coin Grocery in Spokane, Washington. She began working at the age of 11. She loved working at the fountain in the store, making ice cream, preparing sandwiches, fresh malts, and flavored sodas. Her boss told her she could have anything in the store for meal breaks. One day her boss commented on how well the expensive cans of red salmon were selling, this was Marlene’s favorite. A young Air Force NCO, Jim Wilson, from Charleston, West Virginia frequented the Gold Coin for her delicious sundaes.

One of her best childhood friends, Donna Unrue, worked with her at the Gold Coin Grocery. They were great friends for almost 70 years. Donna lives in Washington.

She graduated from North Central High School in Spokane, Washington in 1949.

On June 14, 1950 (Flag Day) at age 19, she married her husband of 61 years, Jim Wilson. On June 25, 1950, her husband of 11 days was deployed to the Korean War as a radio operator on B-29s.

In July 1951, their bouncing baby girl, Kathy, was born in Spokane. Marlene’s father, George Murray, died two weeks after Kathy arrived.

In December 1952, they had their only son, Curtis.

Between 1952 and 1957 the Wilson family was stationed in Arizona, Mississippi, Washington state, and Florida. Marlene became a military wife and loved the challenges of moving, and exploring new territory with her children.

Marlene loved the spirit and lights of Christmas. Christmas as a North Dakota child was a sleigh ride through the snow with her family, delivering presents in the deep frost of winter. She often spoke of the joy of giving. Her gifts were always decorated like a fine piece of art.

She taught her children and grandchildren to give of themselves. What greater gift is there than that? She celebrated every season with an open heart. No one was a stranger to Marlene, she always celebrated hospitality. She was a Girl Scout Leader, a Family Service Volunteer, and an active Catholic Church member. She attended all of her children and grandchildren’s events, and celebrated their individual talents and personalities.

On May 13, 1957, Helene was born on Travis Air Force Base in Northern, California.

By 1959, Staff Sgt. Jim Wilson and his family were transferred to Johnson Air Force Base on the main island of Japan. They became part of an American/Japanese community called Ichiban Village. Marlene would drive a motor scooter with her three children all over town. Japan was the land of the rising sun and her family thrived in its beautiful culture.

In 1961, the family was transferred to Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines. They lived in base housing and enjoyed long family rides in their friends, the Mooney’s, Volkswagen bus.

By 1962, the family traveled Pan Am Airlines, a Boeing 707, back to the United States. This was when air travel was luxury travel, even in coach. This time their destiny was smack in the middle of the United States, Salina, Kansas. They resided on Schilling Air Force Base. Their youngest daughter, Darla, was born in December, 1962.

They made many great friends in the military. One of Marlene and Jim’s closest friends was Maggie and Alex Alexander. They were friends for 50 years.

In 1965, T/Sgt. James Wilson was transferred to serve in the Vietnam War. He was stationed in Thialand. Marlene and the three children made their home in Westminster, California, the home of Marlene’s mother, Helen, and step-father, Fred Carmickle. The family loved their California home, schools, and family gatherings.

By 1967, the family was sent to Spangdahlem Air Force Base in Germany. Their first German home was an apartment in a quaint village named Dudeldorf. They lived above a small German store called Spar. They later moved into base housing and enjoyed the green, green forests of Germany and the neighboring European countries.

In the later part of 1968, the family returned to Westminster, California while Jim served his last year at Malstrom Air Force Base, Montana.

Huntington Beach, California has been Marlene and Jim’s home for the past 41 years. Marlene was employed with Fluidmaster in Fullerton for several years and Allergan Pharmaceuticals in Irvine for 12 years as the Direct Mail manager.

Marlene loved all 13 of her grandchildren: Jason, Bryan, Tommy, Lauren, Christopher, Michael, Anne, Lindsey, Garrett, Kelly, James, Chaz, and Peter and her two great grandchildren: Haley and Hayden.

Marlene’s great love for family got her interested in genealogy research. She brought great joy in her travels to Prince Edward Island, Canada, Nova Scotia and Ireland to find relatives. Her gift of laughter and family history resonated until the day she died. She connected the Murray dots and her family can now enjoy the pleasures of knowing and visiting their Irish roots. The music at the viewing was one of her Prince Edward Island cousins, Father Bob Coady.

Marlene passed away in her own home on Thursday, September 29th in the arms of her husband, all four of her children, her adoring grandsons, James, and Bryan, and her friend, Kathy Dalton.

September 29th was the Feast of the Archangels. In the presence of angels, Marlene was born into God’s Kingdom. One tear fell from Marlene’s eyes as she transitioned into the arms of angels. Marlene was an angel to so many people. She had a heart for others and taught us the meaning of being a Mother. She was sent to be a heart teacher and for this we celebrate her 80 years on Earth. May our hearts convey the music of her love as we wait in joyful anticipation for a heavenly reunion.

We love you Marlene. God be with you forever and ever.

Written by: Marlene’s adoring, eldest daughter, Kathy Paysen 10-01-11

Marlene Margaret Wilson of Huntington Beach, California passed away on September 29, 2011. A visitation will take place on Monday, October 3, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Westminster Memorial Park Lakeside Chapel. Services will also be held on Monday, October 3, 2011 at 12:00 noon with a graveside service to follow.

Arrangements under the direction of Westminster Memorial Park, 14801 Beach Blvd. Westminster, CA 92683. (714) 893-2421