Mom owned her own miniature shop and it was magical!

One thing she always wanted but couldn't afford to buy was a Hummer. She was thrilled to take this ride.

April 18, 2015, Mom's 81st birthday.

Mom was Mrs. Santa Claus.  She would always say she felt every child should wake up on Christmas with a Christmas tree filled with love, filled with presents all around. She loved the look of wonder and joy in a child's face on Christmas morning.  The presents didn't have to be big or expensive, but fun and anything that would bring happiness. 

She didn't have much as a child and I truly believe she wanted to make sure her children, grandchildren and any child in her home felt they were special and would be remembered during Christmas.  She too was a child at heart, which made her even more endearing.  A wise, loving and talented woman who could touch the heart of young and old, bringing them childlike joy, especially at Christmas.   

May each of you who loved Mom, or knew her feel that love of Christmas now and always. And thank you for the love and care you gave to her and us, especially at this time.  

This is the childhood bench that Marilyn used when it was at the house on Marsh St in San Luis Obispo.  It is now in her son Dan's backyard, surrounded by wildflowers.

The Queen rules...and don't forget it. We can't believe she allowed us to take this picture, but sure glad we did!

....Grandma Marilyn without a tree. Oh how she loved tall trees, green grass and colorful flowers. And it didn't matter how much of a mess the tree leaves left, Marilyn was so happy to have trees in her yard.

Not sure how Susie got her to look into the camera and not blink, but the photo came out pretty well. In case you didn't know, Grandma Marilyn disliked having her picture taken and would do just about anything to avoid it. Good work, Sue!

She always wanted a Hummer, even though they cost a fortune and got lousy gas mileage. Grandma Marilyn said she felt safer in a large vehicle, and if someone cut her off, she could roll right over them. So on one of her birthdays, Susie arranged for a Hummer test drive for Marilyn & Doc. 

Susie and I were blessed to adopt Jacob in 2006. Having never known a grandmother before, Jacob met Grandma Marilyn and Grandpa Doc for the first time in Pasadena, CA. It was love at first sight....and has continued unconditionally to this day.

Aunt Ginny is Mom's only sibling, and older sister.  These two have been each other's support and best friends forever.  Eventhough as kids they had their moments of getting into each other's hair...they never lost sight of each other, even when living so far away.  There will always be a tremendous bond between them.  Their love and respect for one-another will live on. 
 

Mom created so many original miniature dolls over the years.  These tiny angels in a cookie cutter are just one example of the hand-sewn, hand-painted dolls she would make.  No two were ever exactly alike. And each had such a sweet and impish look.  She never believed she had talent or that her work was anything special. This was the one thing she was wrong about!    

Marilyn's family home was built by the grandfather (one of the men standing on the steps), of a close friend who still lives one block away.

     This very beautiful home is around the corner from where I live on the corner of Marsh and Carmel Streets.   It was built in 1915 by my Grandfather, E.D. Bray.
He built beautiful homes from Santa Paula to Cambria, and this was one very special home.  He built this home for Lena Wilkinson, Marilyn's Grandmother, who 
was our friend.   E.D. Bray was known for his craftsmanship and attention to each detail.   The doors were beautiful and he had beveled glass in the windows and hardwood floors and sliding wooden detailed doors between the living room and dining room.   The fireplace was special and window seats on either side.   The dining room had built-in cupboards with special brackets to open doors to shelves for china and spacious drawers for linen and silverware.   Doorknobs were crystal.
There were window seats.   The kitchen was a work of art with a small complete dining area with built in cupboards for the daily family use.   All the rooms upstairs and downstairs were detailed.   This will be a home of beauty forever.  Upstairs
one could see beautiful views of our San Luis Mountain which we all love.  

This was Marilyn's family home in San Luis Obispo, built in the early 1900's.  It is located on Marsh Street and is now a law firm 

     Marilyn will always be in my heart as a dear, dear friend.  She had such love and compassion and kindness and gentleness.  We would visit every other week for over an hour on the phone.
     She was born at the same time and in the same hospital as I only 4 days later here in san Luis Obispo in 1934.   Her Grandmother Wilkinson lived around the corner in a very beautiful home that my Grandfather was architect and builder of.
     Coming back from Mexico ever so often Marilyn was always in my class at Emerson School.  She knew and loved old San Luis Obispo and the people we knew and loved.   We would talk about these people and the years coming to today.   She would send me old pictures of the famly that I knew in those times.  She enjoyed my writings about my home and Mother and San Luis Obispo and my teaching and my friends here today.   She especially enjoyed pictures of my Birthday Parties at Madonna Inn.   She learned to know each friend.
     Yes, I will miss my dear friend so very much, but I look forward  to seeing her again where there is no parting with the Lord in our hearts in Heaven.
     God bless her precious famlly each one whom she loved dearly.
                                                     Jeannie Martin
                                                     Jean A. Martin, M.A.
                                                     Teacher of Children for 39 years.
                                                      81 years young (born April 14, 1934)