Dale Christine Marchand

Dale Christine Marchand, age 79, passed peacefully on February 3, 2019 at her home in Murrieta, California, surrounded by her family. Dale was born April 10, 1939, in California’s Central Valley, the daughter of Frank G. Finch and Dorothy Christine (Floyd) Finch.

Dale thoroughly enjoyed athletics, the outdoors, crafts, and games. She bowled and played softball most of her life, coached teams for her daughters and nieces, and enjoyed volley-tennis. She loved fishing alongside her father, sisters, and friends. She spent a lot of time gardening and had a special love for roses—her and her mother’s favorites. She did embroidery and crochète—predominately for family members—and loved painting (rocks, gourds, bird houses, and on canvas), winning several awards at local competitions, but mostly for the joy of giving as gifts to those who so appreciated her talents. She loved playing games like Pinochle, Yahtzee, and Mexican Train with family and friends. Trips to the desert and San Felipe, Mexico with friends and family were some of her favorite memories. Dale graduated from Helix High School and lived her entire life in California near family, which was of utmost importance to her.

In 1957 Dale married Charles “Chuck” Sportsman, and they had Donna Jean in April of 1958 and Russell Charles in August of 1959. Dale and Chuck divorced two years later, and after a few years, Dale married the love of her life, Gerard “Jerry” Marchand. He took her children as his own, and they had Brenda Lee in May of 1964.

Though she worked various jobs to help with finances, her primary focus was on family and raising her three children. Her ultimate desire and efforts were to raise well-adjusted kids and grandkids to become good people. She had a huge heart for children and was a mother figure to stepson Steven and many others, including nieces Sandie, Karen, Cori, Teri, and Deidre, nephew Bobby, great niece Angie, all her granddaughters, and even the children of good friends, such as the Rust boys, among numerous others. Russ adds, “If you knew her, she was strong-willed, independent, and a bit (okay a lot) sassy, but loved deeply and was the best Mother a child could wish for.”

Dale was preceded in death by brother LeRoy and sisters Carol and Fern. Her biggest heartbreak was the loss of daughter Brenda Lee in 1976. She is survived by her husband Jerry, daughter Donna Jean and son Russell Charles, granddaughters Brenda, Alissa, Trina, Kelsey, Kendall, and Nicole, great grandson Jay, and a number of other close relatives and friends. Family and friends were Dale’s passion and delight.

A grave site service will be held at 12:30 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at Alpine Cemetery, 2495 W. Victoria Dr., Alpine, California, 91901. Following the service will be a “Celebration of Dale’s Life” gathering for family and friends at Diamond Jack’s RV Ranch, 15724 Lyons Valley Rd., Jamul, CA 91935.