Marion Holmen Obituary – Torrance, CA (1920-2008)

Marion E. Holmen, 88, of Hermosa Beach, Calif., died Saturday, November 15, 2008, after living with Alzheimer’s for more than 20 years.

Marion was born in Twin Falls, Idaho on October 16, 1920. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Milton; their daughter, Rachel of Berkeley; their son, Bruce of West Hills; their daughter, Joyce of Sherman Oaks and their son, Scott of Silverdale, Washington. Additionally, she is survived by her sister, Ardis Read of Sacramento; her brother, Roscoe Patton of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and her sister, Beverly McAlpine of Thatcher, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her sister, Lorraine Whitaker of Riverside, California.

She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemistry from the University of Arizona, where she was a Phi Beta Kappa and where she and Milton met. During World War II, he taught chemistry at the University of Arizona, then worked for Polaroid in Boston. After that, she served as director of the religious education program at the UU Church in Santa Monica. While raising four active children, she found time to chair the PTA, dance, learn how to sail, and travel the US visiting family, friends, and national parks. Her leadership style was inclusive and modest. She was artistic, creative, warm, shy and outgoing at the same time, devoted to her husband and family, always curious and generous with her time and affection.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, 1260 18th St., Santa Monica, www.uusm.org. Memorial gifts may be made to the UU Community Church Building Fund or the Alzheimer’s Association at www.ALZ.org/CaliforniaSouthland (phone 323-930-6246). Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.