Marian Roy - 

Gramma was part of the greatest Generation. The Generation that defined America. She was born right after WW1 and then endured and persevered through arguably the roughest patch of human history. She had to save the world from the Germans (again), ensure at least half of Korea is free and then find solace in the fight against communism. She also learned how to build cabins with Grampa at Lake Tahoe; the best place on the Earth. Good choice, Gramma. She would take momentary “breaks” from all of this to raise children, grandchildren and be in love with Grampa. There is a long list of Gramma’s skills that may be more important but I want to address her ability to throw a damn good party. 

Looking back on it, after all the stuff she went through, I think she hit the 1980s and thought “We saved the world, things are relatively fabulous compared to the past 40 years in Mordor…I think we should celebrate.” I was not that old during the 80s but my understanding of the activities of Gramma and Grampa is pretty much the following: they moved in to a community with a bunch of friends and played cards and went on vacations and built cabins for vacations sometimes and went to formal dances with these same friends (where are these dances now??). There was a lot of fishing, cursing, martinis and laughs. 

The 90s came about and I don’t think G&G changed so much but my ability to recollect improved. If my memory serves me right, I would sum up their decade as: they lived in a community with a bunch of friends, played cards and play go-fish with me and all the magical summer trips to the A Frame cabin in Tahoe.” Truly, I think Gramma knew what she had in our family and she brought out the best fun in all of us. She brought us together. She was the glue of glues. Thanksgiving was a night that I looked forward to for 364 days of the year. Gramma made the food come together, allowed my mom to burn something and somehow did all the dishes in the brief time between the en

As the youngest of all the grandkids before the great grandkids, I was the last one living it up at the kids table and always wanting somebody to play with me. My gramma would oblige and sit on her kitchen floor and toss the ball with me forever. She had endless patience for my antics and threw all our games so that I would think I’d won. I learned later I had lost at everything I’d ever played, and that I had the best gramma ever. Although she was very stubborn, so am I and she just let me have my way every time. She was too nice to me and I didn’t deserve her. I’ll tell her all this when I see her again with Christ! 

I have called Mrs. Roy "Mom" ever since Marilyn and I were engaged in 1972.  I had to figure out a name for Mr. Roy (which was the awesome "Chief"), but "Mom" was just "Mom."  From the time I started dating Marilyn in 1968 (she was 15 and I was 17, and she got a special dispensation to date me before 16) until her passing, she was loving, supporting, compassionate and kind toward me.  I could not have asked for anything better.  She raised two wonderful children and helped with six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  I will always love her, remember the times we spent together and look forward to being together for eternity.

Love,

Your son (in-law), Bryce

My mom, Marian Charlotte Roy, was 95 when she passed away and she put those 95 years to good use. It’s hard to pick out the best words to describe her. My dad was the bigger-than-life idea man, and she was the behind-the-scenes person that helped make his ideas a reality. I read that the  word “foil” comes from the old practice of backing gems with foil to make them shine more brightly. She did that for all of us. 

My mom believed in God and that Jesus Christ was her lord and savior. She didn’t need any proof.  

She was overall just a wonderful person, and I’m so looking forward to seeing her again when we won’t have to say goodbye.

Gramma always made me feel loved and safe. I'll always remember spending Chistmas eve at Grampa and Gramma's place. She always kept an old Nintendo for the kids to play in the back. I, as an adult, played the Nintendo anyways. She must have known we enjoyed it even as we grew older. She was so thoughtful and kind even as she grew older. She created a home for so many of us. I miss all of it dearly, most of all her. Thank you for all the warm memories, Gramma. 

Everyone has always said that my grandfather, James Roy, had an exceptional iron will and joie de vivre, but my grandmother, Marian Charlotte Roy, embodied those qualities as well.  Gramma was one of the strongest people I have ever known.  She faced many trials and tribulations in her life, and each time carried on no matter what with poise and strength.  She seemed to have an endless amount of courage, endurance, and resolve, even after losing her birth mother, her brother, her husband, first-born daughter, and many other loved ones.  She continued to cherish the loved ones she still had, and stayed strong for us.   

She had an overwhelming love and empathy for all things vulnerable and small, including children and animals.  She especially loved her grandchildren.  She and my grandpa used to take us on special outings, including to the circus many times, and to Sea World and other animal parks.     

My gramma was extremely open-minded, and did not judge others.  I have never heard her utter a harsh word, to me or to anyone else.  I will always know that my gramma loved me, and was extremely proud of me, because she told me so.  

My favorite memories of Gramma were our drives to Phoenix and Lake Tahoe with her and Grampa. We'd stop every hour or so to fish at one of Grampa's secret locations. Gramma even built a chain of zip lock bags connecting the A/C vent in the front to the back seat so I'd be cool. We'd listen to one of her and Grampa's favorite tapes the entire drive, a collection of classic country songs including Ghostriders in the Sky and Take this Job and Shove It. This time alone with my Gramma and Grampa made me feel like the most special kid in the world.

My beloved grandmother was brilliant, witty, generous, kind, gracious, feisty and classy. She was raised in Washington State and on a ranch in Idaho. She was a graduate of the University of Idaho. She and my grandfather, married for over 50 years, loved dancing, hosting parties, traveling, and playing golf and bridge. Together they built our family summer cabin at Lake Tahoe, camping on their plot of land on weekends until they finished. "Gramma" made all our holidays so special, always setting a beautiful table adorned with gold and lace, and cooking a fabulous feast. She loved fancy gold shoes, coffee yogurt, and California. She served as president of the Tustin Area Women's Club and had a million friends. She loved us all unconditionally and we adored and admired her.  She spent her life waiting for the day she could meet her own mother who died in childbirth. We'll miss you forever, Gramma. I love you more!

Marian was an extraordinary person who led a long interesting life.  Born in Washington State, she had never met her birth mother, Charlotte, who died in childbirth.  She was raised on the ranch in Idaho by Aunt Kate whom she loved and adored her entire life.

I met Marian for the first time in 1968 and married her oldest daughter Kathy that same year.  I will always remember the great family vacations at Lake Tahoe in the cabin that she and my father-in-law Jim built.

Marian was a very energetic, feisty, funny, party hostess, and a gourmet cook.  Her eyes always sparkled when she smiled.  She also loved playing golf and was an excellent bridge player.  I don't think that I could beat her at golf or bridge (o.k. maybe golf).

She was devoted to her family, grandchildren and even great grandchildren.  We loved her very much and will miss her tremendously.

To the best mother-in-law ever.

Love, George

OBITUARY

Marian Charlotte Roy

April 19, 1925 – August 4, 2020

Fairhaven Memorial Park & Mortuary

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