Marilyn Ann Irwin, (1951 - 2011) - ForeverMissed.com Online Memorials

“I had been riding horses before my memory kicked in, so my life with horses had no beginning. It simply appeared from the fog of infancy." Monty Roberts
―

60 years old
Born on February 13, 1951 in Hanford, California, United States
Passed away on October 28, 2011 in Gilroy, California, United States

This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Marilyn Ann Irwin, 60 years old, born on February 13, 1951, and passed away on October 28, 2011. We will remember her forever.

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February 15, 2022

My Dear Sister Marilyn,
Every day brings thoughts of you, pictures in my mind of usual days and special times. Choosing a memory to capture today isn't difficult.

Before you were married when we made visits to Mom and Dad you would place our little John on a blanket and pull it around the house, each time deciding on a destination. After many of these "trips" the most popular place to go became Siberia. John still , at 48 years old, remembers these rides as "Going to Siberia". What a fun Aunt you were!

February 14, 2022

Happy Birthday! February 13, 1951

Marilyn, I am now 71 years old. Woooo...those days have passed so fast. I am thinking of you on our birthday. We shared heart valentine cakes with pink or white frosting and sprinkled with red hot hearts. This last month I have been watching many YouTube videos about the work of horse "join-up" with Monty Roberts. I even purchased VIP tickets about 13 years ago when he came to Fresno State University in the equine department and showed his amazing training methods in learning the equine language which he named, Equus. It was an amazing experience to see his work in person. You would have loved his use of absolutely NO VIOLENCE in any of his work with horses. Watch one of his join-up videos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYtTz9GtAT4 Many horse trainers would not believe or use his ideas. THEN... Queen Elizabeth heard about his work with horses and had Monty travel to England inviting Monty to come and work with all of her horses. His work was effective immediately. Then... others began to listen. His first book about his life is called The Man Who Listens to Horses. Anyone reading this post, please read. I studied his work just because your horses would have loved his method. He can take a wild, high-strung horse who has never before been handled and persuade that horse to accept a bridle, saddle, and rider in thirty minutes. His powers may seem like magic, but his amazing “horse sense” is based on a lifetime of experience. In The Man Who Listens to Horses, Roberts reveals his unforgettable personal story and his exceptional insight into nonverbal communication, an understanding that applies to human relationships as well. He shows that between parent and child, employee and employer, abuser and abused, there are forms of communication far stronger than the spoken word that is accessible to all who will learn to listen. Monty was severely abused by his father who was a horse trainer and called Monty names for using the Equus language. He was even thrown out of the Cowboys' Hall of Fame. He never gave up and at 87 years old, he still trains others. His farm is near Santa Barbara, Flag Is Up Farms. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7tb1dKx73Q Bruce and I visited and strolled through the barns and pastures looking at his famous horse, the mustang, Shy Boy. I had a chance to chat with his daughter online as well. https://youtu.be/Y0QF5rq8htI
Thank you, Monty Roberts. Marilyn would have loved you so much. Love, Janet Adams

October 30, 2021

Hi Marilyn... 10 years ago I received a call from your health provider that you had passed away. I stood by the trailer and thought how much I loved you. I was loading up our travel trailer to visit Paso Robles. Memory: You and your horse riding friends passed through Paso many times as you were all pulling horse trailers full of hay, tack, and ready for daily trail rides through Montana de Oro State Park. Bruce and I enjoy visiting there to bird and ride our bikes on the trails near the seashore cliffs. Many birders absolutely love the campground that has corrals for campers with horses and you stayed many times. Somehow rare birds are reported at that campground on eBird. One day Bruce and I drove over to your beloved campground and walked around thinking of you with Jed and Travis. Now, I drive that road many times when we are camping at Morro Bay State Park just a few miles down Los Osos Valley Road toward the cutoff to Montana de Oro. Your eternal home now is amazing. I love to read the passage in Revelation 21... A new earth is coming! We will all see each other then. "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” I love you, Marilyn. Thank you for sharing our lives together.

October 28, 2021

Dear Marilyn, I long to relive times in our lives which were filled with excitement and joy- such as Christmas Eve, birthdays, camping in Yosemite, rafting at the slough, picking wild blackberries. My memories of these times with you are still colored with the adventurous happiness of the days they occurred. You stand out in each one, my dear sister, as if it were yesterday. I love you,
Margie

February 13, 2021

Because I was no longer home after you were twelve or so my fondest memories are of your early childhood- especially when you were a toddler. It was fun, interesting, and frustrating to be a big sister to such a cute, sweet, curly-haired little girl. I remember you and Janet, at about 18 months old, sitting in your twins stroller, side-by-side and you were pulling Janet's hair and laughing. I ran to stop you and you giggled as you hesitated to let up on the torture of your sister. I have many memories of you dragging your favorite pillow around and never sleeping without it. Memories flood my mind when I think of you, which is often, even after these many years. I have loved you since the day you were born. Happy Birthday dear sister. I miss you. Love, Margie

February 13, 2021

Hi Marilyn,
Today is our birthday! Happy Birthday dear twin sister. I was camping near one of your favorite places. I enjoyed hearing your horseback riding adventures at Montana de Oro. Many times as we visit the cliffs horse trailers are parked in pullouts. You loved the trail rides there. I camped in our trailer at Morro Bay State Park this last week. Bruce and I ride our bikes on a trail from SLO to Avila Beach. Beautiful trail with moms and strollers, dogs and joggers. We love this quaint cafe situated right in the middle of the trail. Of course we stop and have coffee and a roll. This week we ride up to the San Luis Inn. The view of the Pacific was stunning. Today, Travis was born. What a great son you raised. His family is awesome and with great joy they moved into the home you built on 13th. The house is full of family noise and animals outside too. I miss you so much. Love Janet. Twins forever.

November 14, 2020

When I think of you Marilyn
I remember your smile.
It brightened the room you were in,
And echoed the sparkle in your eyes.
In your heart you wished, wished-
For brightness and calm, back then.
But now you have the time of ages
To bask in the Light of eternity.
I love you. Your sister, Margie

February 13, 2020

Hi Marilyn,
Happy Birthday! The weather was beautiful today and a perfect time to saddle up Rusty and Spinner and ride down the cotton field lane. We had so many fun conversations during those hour-long rides. Spinner was always skittish with every leaf or sound but you rode him well. I love the sound of the saddle squeaking underneath and the bob of the horse's head as we rode during the dusk of the day. I will be volunteering my time at a horse ranch this year that provides therapy horses for children and adults. Horses have an amazing gift providing a unique set of attributes that bring healing to the hurting. Horseback riding makes them braver, stronger and it gives the child freedom. For people with emotional and physical needs, being on horseback is life-changing. Providing freedom and empowerment, the horse is widely recognized as a powerful tool in therapy. So in honor of you, Marilyn, I want to help others through horse therapy. You are missed... Love Janet

February 13, 2020

Dearest Marilyn,
I clearly remember the day you and Janet were born. As your eldest sister I could hardly wait to see my two baby girls. As it turned out I had to wait two weeks but it was worth my patience because holding you for the first time was one of the most memorable events of my life. I was only six but that experience is still as vivid as if it had happened yesterday. I wish I could hug you today to wish you Happy Birthday! Love, Margie

February 13, 2020

I just sent sa Hsppy Birthday text to your twin. I wonder if we would text and share pictures of our lives? I would hope that we would keep in touch, visit, and laugh about the days at the cabin, stick horses, playing business.. and share stories about family and vacations... I miss you, dear Cousin.

October 30, 2019

Dear Marilyn,
Every day, sometime during the duties and joys of my life, I think of you and wish we had lived closer as adults. Your life gave me joy and your efforts as a mother gave the world your two wonderful sons and four beautiful grandchildren. I miss you and the opportunities to know you in your later years. I love you.
Margie

October 28, 2019

Hi Marilyn,
Today marks 8 years that you traveled to the eternal arms of Jesus Christ. We were on our way to Paso Robles when I heard about it. As we were packing up this very day to a Central Coast visit, I was reminded of your anniversary. GREAT VERSE FOR US.
“You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:3-8 NLT
Miss you as only a twin can,
Love Janet

February 17, 2019

My Dear Marilyn,
Your first birthday with Janet was memorable to me because the two of you, when your heart-shaped cakes were place before you, beamed with excitement. You and Janet dove into the whipped cream frosting as if you had received new toys. After 30 seconds your faces were covered with cream as well as smiles and laughter. Also, you both had Chicken Pox, so the spots on your faces added something extra. I love you!
Margie

December 23, 2018

Dearest Marilyn,
My first Christmas memory of you is when you were standing in front of the Christmas tree with Janet. You both were wearing flannel pajamas sewn by Grandma. (I remember she made us pajamas every year and they were big enough to last a whole year.) Yours were rolled up to fit because, of course, the pants were to long; the arms were rolled up too. I always smile when I think of you as the little girl in the Christmas PJ's. I love you.

February 20, 2018

My dear Marilyn,
I am a little slow in posting a thought about you on your birthday but I have thoughts about you multiple times a day, so I will share one of those.I remember a family film Dad made of us sisters while we were waiting for our wading pool to fill on a hot summer day. You were about 18 months old and you were jumping up and down with excitement. You suddenly turned around and gave a big dimpled smile to the camera. The image of that smile could make the saddest soul happy. I love you forever. Margie

November 1, 2017

Dearest Marilyn,
The memories as your eldest sister ripple through my mind every day, pooling in my heart where I can feel each one. I love you and thank you for being part of my life.
Margie

October 28, 2017

Hi Marilyn, I wanted to let you know that I miss you. Yesterday, I was petting a beautiful quarter horse ridden by a sheriff from the Fresno County Search and Rescue. Honestly, that horse was the color, height, and personality of our horse, Rusty. Rusty was well cared for by the both of us and as well, her offspring Spinner was a crazy fun, Morgan. So, I reached out and gave this horse a long hard pat then smelled my hand and loved the memories that faint scent brought back. The sheriff smiled at me and I expressed that I will always love that smell. Marilyn, we would ride together for hours. Our conversations were usually about our hopes and dreams along with our current struggles in school. I still would like to own two horses and ride in the countryside or mountain trails. I visit Montana de Oro, Sequoia, Yosemite, and the high Sierras often and when I pass the horse camps or the sign of the trails you would ride with your friends, I smile. You were so excited to haul your horses up those trails and loved the excitement of camping with Jed and Travis and friends. Once, at Montana de Oro a rattlesnake was under a log near your campfire, a bear broke into your truck for food at Hume Lake, and you shared with me that your horse tripped and rolled off the embankment with you on it on a coastal trail. The bushes kept both you and your mount from rolling all the way down. You loved it and was always ready to go back. Hey, I love those places too. I actually visit the coast or mountains once a month. I hike for miles amongst the pine trees or coastal mountains and the smell, the breeze, my love of nature, and God remind me of how good He has been to the both of us. I love you, Janet

February 20, 2017

My dear little Marilyn,
To me you will always seem like that little girl who was scared to death of horses and dogs. As the latest posted pictures show, you got over that to become a great horsewoman and a dog lover. I can still remember your idol, Roy Rogers, and how I ordered an autographed photo for you and Janet. My memories of your childhood are very dear to me and will always lie deep in my heart. I love you. Margie

October 31, 2016

My sweet Marilyn,
I can't believe you have been gone a while but I know you are safely with the Lord and are completely whole again. I can't imagine what your must be experiencing but I look forward to seeing you again. I think of you every day and wish we could have had more time together as adults. I love you forever.
Margie

October 29, 2016

Hi Marilyn,

Thank you for being my very best friend. You left to be with our Lord Jesus Christ five years ago. I know that you are in an amazing place. I have been reading a book called, Imagine Heaven by John Burke with scripture references. Wow, no time, lots of friends, beautiful scenery, light that never ends, and love that is endless. About Jesus: "When I saw Him, I fell at his feet if I were dead. Be he laid his right hand on me and said, "Don't be afraid! I am the First and the Last, I am the living one. I died, but look - I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave." Revelations 1:9-18 Marilyn, we will be with each other for eternity. So...I continue to live a life here on earth with great joy and praise to a wonderful Father. He truly is a great Father.

Love, your twin sister, Janet Adams

February 15, 2016

Hi Marilyn, Happy birthday and Happy Valentine's Day 2016. We are now legal for not only a car license, and a vote in this year's presidential election, but now we can receive Social Security and Medicare!! I miss you and would love to have a cup of coffee and chat about anything. I have been sharing with one of my granddaughters, now 4, a very special TV show we loved. Avie and I watch the old Roy Rodgers TV show on YouTube. ( it's a place in the cloud that archives videos) Trying to explain cowboys, bad guys/good guys, Trigger, Bullet, Nellie Bell, the jeep, and of course Dale Evans has been a joy. She asks me all kinds of questions during the 1/2 hour show. I try to express how special Trigger was to Roy. I believe I have her hooked. But really that was our favorite cowboy show and I love how simple it was. As always, Happy Trails To You Until We Meet Again!!
Love Janet.

February 14, 2016

Dearest Marilyn,
What can I say to you on your birthday but that I love you and miss you. We can catch up someday when we meet again but for now you are in my heart.
Love,
Margie

November 9, 2015

My dear Marilyn,
A day never passes that I don't think of you. You were twelve years old when I went away to college and I missed the last years of your childhood but you grew up anyway and became a beautiful person with two wonderful sons. I wish we could have seen each other more often but the times we did get together were special. I know you are in a wonderful place now and I look forward to seeing your smile and feeling a hug from you again. I love you.
Margie

October 29, 2015

Hi Marilyn, I miss you and think about you often. We had quite a grand time together growing up in Hanford. You would love all the new technology that has changed the way we communicate and do business. It is so much fun. You loved your first computer and understood how to use it for accounting. I was lost when you explained how easy it was compared to writing in ledgers. I love you and say a big hello to all our family and friends in heaven. Love, Janet

February 13, 2015

Happy Birthday Marilyn,

I miss you as always and love looking back to our lives we shared together. Now, I have lots of candles on my cake and so do you. Many memories of joy, laughter, sharing, and of course cooking together. You would love Pinterest. No more cutting out recipes... just "pin" away and this thing called an app saves your favorites somewhere in the CLOUD. I love you tons. Happy happy birthday Marilyn.
Janet Schumacher Adams

February 13, 2015

Flashlights in the dark, whispers and giggles, HORSES! Love always, Lisa

February 13, 2014

Hi, Marilyn. I miss you! Today I sent a Happy Birthday to Janet, and I want to wish the same to you. I think of you often, and love remembering our growing-up years with your sisters. I miss your mom and Dad, too, and just wish we could set the table for one more Thanksgiving together, you know? I spent some time with Susie and Janet a few months ago, just sitting and talking. We hope to get together again, and Marilyn, when we do, YOU will be there with us. I am so glad the Lord blessed us with YOU, and now keeps you safe.

February 13, 2014

Marilyn, I remember the day you and Janet were born, one of the best days of my life. I watched you grow from darling baby to sweet little girl to beautiful, energetic woman. A day does not go by when I don't think of you and wish you could be with your family and experience all the family members who have been born in the past years and would love to know their Grandma and Aunt Marilyn. I'll love you forever. Margie

February 13, 2014

Marilyn, tomorrow is our birthday!! We shared our celebration along with Valentines Day so mom baked two heart-shaped cakes. One for each of us. One birthday we had dad drive us both to Fresno to a horse tack shop and selected a nice breast collar to attach to one of our saddles. We rode in style!
Jed and Travis are great sons. You would be so happy with their families.
I love you!
Janet Schumacher Adams

October 28, 2013

Marilyn, I miss you. You were my best friend. I think of you often while I drive to work and think of our life together as children, young adults, and adults raising our children. Yesterday it was two years since your passing. Jed and Travis have become wonderful adults with wonderful wives with Travis raising three children of his own. I love you.

November 13, 2011

I knew Marilyn in the late 1980's, when she trained a horse that I had back then. She was such a joy to be around, always so happy and energetic. I can still hear her voice greeting us as we drove up to her house - she would come bouncing out and say "Hi you guys!" Then she would share her knowledge about horses and helped me to become a better rider. Her boys, Travis and Jed, were always arou

October 31, 2011

Marilyn, you were my best friend. We shared our lives together. Every birthday, every Christmas, all the school years and even college. You were the light when you entered a room. You laughed and others loved you. I stood back and watched the magic happen when you met others. You had a marvelous way of making others feel welcome and important. We are Christians! Soon He is coming.

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February 15, 2022

February 14, 2022

October 30, 2021

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Gallery

Her Life

The Cabin in Ahwahnee

Oh, the fun at the cabin we had together. Poison Oak, riding horses and hiking where no trails existed and mom never asked. Then our kids soon joined in the fun and played together revisiting our favorite walks to Mechi's Pond and the Old Stage Coach Road. The sounds of the Acorn woodpeckers and California quail sang their calls to us and I still love to stop and hear them thinking back of the huge oak trees filled with holes drilled out by the woodpeckers full of acorns. The cabin was old and needed many repairs, the furniture did not match, and the kitchen was super small but we made it work. I still dream of owning a cabin in the mountains. I do love my 30 foot travel trailer and we now camp in the high country in the Sierra Nevadas and of course the Central Coast every 6 weeks. That is a gift and I am thankful for our memories Marilyn.

Pioneer Week at Lincoln Elementary, 1990

December 5, 2014

Marilyn loaded up her prize horses and brought them to Lincoln Elementary in Kingsburg, California. She shared her love of horses and rode both. CJ who is standing behind Marilyn was a cutting horse. She saddled him up and had one of the 4th grade students become a cow. CJ was given the signal and that student would try to move left and right but CJ was on it. Marilyn had a special gift and insight to her horses. She was a "horse whisperer". The students had a grand time!

December 5, 2014

Dear Marilyn, (I found this email I sent to you in 2011)

I am here to say, I love you.
You are going home soon - Home to your Savior, who loves you and gave His life for you. I am so fortunate to be your identical twin sister. The joy of you partnering with me to come from the same seed has been wonderful. We had loving parents and a wonderful life together!

From the beginning, February 13, 1951,

we were best playmates
we loved playing and our imaginations were at their best creating stories of the wildwest and horses together
the mountain cabin provided hours of family fun and timeless memories
we shared a million horseback rides together
we shared a room, bunks, toys, and a love of laughter
we shared friends
we shared our love for God and Jesus
we shared biblestudies and church
we shared the love of cooking
we shared on how to be thrifty when times were tough

Psalm 95:6-9

6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
       let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

7 for he is our God
       and we are the people of his pasture,
       the flock under his care.

December 4, 2014

I know you are with Jesus and I have wonderful memories of our life together. I was able to spend a few hours with Janna Moats in Portland, OR this spring and we had so many stories of the three of us. She is an amazing lady! Jed and Tracy are pregnant and will have a new baby this spring 2015. Wow, you have 4 grandchildren. They are loved.

Love Janet

December 13, 2011

I wrote this once before, Marilyn, but I don't see it here, so I will try again. I looked foward to every weekend of my childhood, hoping to ride in the car with my daddy to go see Janet and Marilyn in Handford. I CRIED all the way home to Tulare, which I am certain thrilled my dad, Uncle Herman. My favorite holiday of the year was Thanksgiving, shared with "the twins" at their mountain dabin. Marilyn, remember al the STUFF we planned? And, Marilyn, you and I would sneak out of the cabin OH so early! You always pushed my chubby self to climb that mountain, or hang on to that horse! I jumped streams and walked for miles if I could be with my favorite cousins. Baking, painting the kitchen, (oh your mom was patient!), playing BUSINESS, and riding horses! Real horses, or stick horses, I was thrille to be with you! Baking, dolls,Sunday School... forever in my memories. I will Love you forever, Dear Cousin!

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