Marjorie Pearl Todaro

Marjorie was born in Nebraska to William and Lily Pearl Hutton in 1924. Her parents lived on a portion of the family farm which had been in the family for several generations. Some of the original land was given as a dowry for the hand in marriage of the cute Indian Princess. She would be Marjorie's Great Grandmother.

When Marjorie was about 6 her parents, Aunts and Uncles relocated their families to the little valley area of San Diego called Market Street/Imperial Avenues. While attending various schools in San Diego she was active in numerous activities from marching in parades twirling her baton; to playing baseball or acrobatics at San Diego High where she graduated in 1942. After she graduated she started working for Bank of America on Broadway in downtown.

She was even a shoulder to lean on back then for her friends and family. In fact the night she met Bruce Lower, who was TAD with the USMC in San Diego, she was such a shoulder. The good looking Marine standing at the bar at Toppers on PCH took one look seeing his destiny. He said I'm going to marry that girl; bartender said “She doesn't drink, is a family friend, but she does love dancing.” Seven days later they were married becoming Mrs. Bruce E. Lower, Jr. and off she went to San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and then North Carolina.

In 1948 the USMC said back to San Diego -- this time with their first child of six weeks, Linda. They settled in the Oceanside area where their second child, Bruce was born; then back to San Diego where their third child, Bill was born. Finally in 1957 the USMC sent them back to Camp Pendleton again, settling in Vista to raise the family. It was at this time Marjorie became a Veterinary Assistant due to her love of animals and retired after 35 years. She sold real estate for a couple of years at La Costa in the Jimmy Hoffa era but decided it wasn't for her. It was then that she became a caregiver to her husband, Bruce for twenty years until his passing in 1987.

Marjorie's future husband, Tom Todaro, was actually a neighbor. Bruce always said he didn't want her to be alone at such a young age, so when Tom approached the lovely widow a few years later, he asked her out and they clicked. They then relocated to Wickenburg, AZ building their retirement home. Unfortunately, the good Lord decided Marjorie needed to become a caregiver again for twelve years, with Tom passing in 2011. During their life in Wickenburg they were active in the Elks Club, and received the Humanitarian Award in 2005 after helping a victim of a horrific flood which took the man’s trailer home and all his belongings. They rallied, giving him their motorhome as well as donating additional items for Ray John's new home.

When Tom became ill with kidney failure Marjorie decided he needed a facility in Wickenburg. It took twelve years for it to open with Marjorie working in cold, hot or inclement weather to obtain signatures for this facility to open. The ribbon cutting was her greatest moment. The Town of Wickenburg was fortunate to have her as a champion. After Tom's passing she acquired an abandoned dog, Trixie, who was her constant companion loving her with every being. Marjorie was a warm, caring, loving and independent lady who always had a contagious smile, hug and good words. She would give a person the clothes off her back if she thought it would help. As she got older her hearing started failing, but her family never failed her. Her greatest achievements were Linda, Bruce and Bill. She lost Bruce in 2007 and Bill in 2009. Her next glory shouts were her grandchildren, Kimberly, Shawna, Pearl and William with them giving her great grandchildren of Alissa, Paige, Alexis, Noah and Caetlen. Marjorie was laughing and smiling the day the trumpets sounded taking her home. She said she wanted to reach 90 but alas that didn't happen. She was also an avid book reader, loved crossword puzzles, handmade crafts, cooking, decorating and of course shopping for clothes. However, her love of loves was playing Skipbo with her daughter, Linda and son-in-law, Lee every single Sunday for 4 1/2 years. She enjoyed teaching her Great Granddaughters the game also. We know the family welcomed her with open arms as well as Jesus saying "excellent job good and faithful servant.

And I should also mention that Marjorie grew up with the San Diego Padres, meaning watching them with her dad from the farm league at the field by Lindberg Field, to the field in Mission Valley with the cows in the pasture -- next door to Jack Murphy. She listened to the every out of town game keeping a notebook tally. She taught her children to be fans as well as her oldest Granddaughter, Kimberly. In fact Padre fever runs so deep in her family that her Dad was buried with his original Padre hat. A great disappointment was never seeing them as World Series Champs. Yes, Go Bolts too. And let us not forget Midget racing at Balboa Stadium either. Marjorie was a diehard San Diegan!

-Linda Peraldo