Marilyn LaVonne Matticks McFarland, 95, entered into Eternal Life on April 10, 2022, at her Home Sweet Home in Vestavia Hills, Ala. Born Dec. 20, 1926 in Galva, Ill., Marilyn was the daughter of Theodore and Mildred (Troline) Matticks.
Marilyn graduated from Toulon High School, where she was a cheerleader, sang in the choir and played the clarinet in the band. A graduate of Bradley University and the University of Alabama, Marilyn was a teacher for 25 years and retired from Saint Barnabas Catholic School. She also taught speed-reading to children and adults.
Marilyn was a life-long teacher who inspired her students with her own curiosity and willingness to keep learning. At 89, Marilyn began learning Spanish. She was fond of saying that in all her years, she never had a bad student.
Marilyn was also pioneering business woman and owned and operate several successful businesses in the Birmingham area, including Storkland Baby Furniture locations, Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop in Vestavia Hills, a sandwich shop in Vestavia Hills and Alabama Uniforms.
Marilyn was a natural leader and had a gift for inspiring people to work hard to be their best. She gained countless lifelong friends through her businesses. Marilyn was a member of Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in Hoover, Ala., a Sunday school teacher, a choir member, a church pianist and a woman of deep faith. Marilyn openly and joyously shared her love of God. Well into her 90s, she could recite all of the books of the Bible in order, perfectly.
Marilyn loved her friends and made new ones wherever she went. She traveled around the world touching countless lives. She loved to cook and entertain and garden and was the undisputable dominoes champion in every game she played. Marilyn shared her love of flowers, butterflies, and nature with her friends, all the time.
On January 1, 2011, Marilyn was touched by a stroke from God. For 11 years, Marilyn worked to regain her ability to walk and talk, never losing her fighting spirit and faith. Her strength, love, perseverance, and love of God shown through in any challenge she faced.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Scott McFarland, and her beloved daughter, Jill Ann McFarland.
She is survived by her son, Richard Scott McFarland II, grandchildren, Kati McFarland Winkler (Jeff), Christian McFarland and Jackson McFarland.
Marilyn is also survived by her best friend, defender, protector and love of a lifetime, William Joseph Powers. Marilyn also leaves behind a host of grateful friends and caregivers who are better for having known her.
A Celebration of Life service for Marilyn will be held on May 24th at 6 p.m. at Aldridge Gardens in Hoover, Ala. Inurnment will be on the family plot at Galva Cemetery in Galva, Ill.
