Marie Theresa Fabian

On March 15, 1924, while the country sang, It Had To Be You, Marie Theresa Franz was born in Brooklyn, New York. The daughter of first-generation Americans, her grandparents immigrated to New York from Germany in the late 1800s.

Marie was the youngest of five siblings who affectionately referred to her as, “Babe.” Her family, like so many other families in America, struggled to make ends meet during the Great Depression.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. declared War on Japan in 1941, the same year Marie graduated from business school at the age of 17. After successfully completing her course work, she lied about her young age and went to work for the W.W. Mac Company as secretary to the buyer.

Marie and Dick Fabian, junior high school sweethearts, married on May 8, 1946, in Brooklyn, shortly after Dick’s honorable discharge from the Navy. The couple had five children: Nancy, Richard, Mary Jayne, Douglas, and Gary. The family resided in rural Connecticut before relocating to Southern California in 1959.

In the early years of her family, Marie was a busy, stay-at-home mom selflessly and generously caring for her children and her aging mother-in-law. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes, where the love of her family was her focus and sustenance. Her devotion to the needs of others was a beacon to her values.

In 1975 Dick and Marie launched a successful financial newsletter from the unpretentious kitchen table in their Huntington Beach home.

Marie and Dick retired to Sun City, Palm Desert, in 2002.

Marie is survived by her devoted husband; her five children; 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and loving nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012 at Pacific View Mortuary Chapel. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church 2046 Mar Vista Drive Newport Beach, CA 92660 with a graveside service to follow at Pacific View Memorial Park.

Arrangements under the direction of Pacific View Memorial Park and Mortuary FD1176, Corona Del Mar, CA.