For 85 years, Marilyn Joyce Vander Weide brought joy and light to the lives of those who knew her. Surrounded by her family on Sunday, October 22, 2017, Marilyn peacefully went home to be with her Lord.
   The seventh of nine siblings, Marilyn was born on August 27, 1932, to Samuel and Amy Travaille, in Ripon, California. She attended Ripon Christian School through the eighth grade and completed her secondary education at Ripon High School.
   Marilyn worked for many years in the insurance business, managing the office of Travaille Insurance Agency in Stockton. She even had a brief stint as a census taker in the 1970 census. For most of her life, Marilyn played the indispensable role of wife, mother and homemaker.
   Marilyn met Ray Vander Weide, a ruggedly handsome widower with two children from his previous marriage. They married on October 27, 1962, and established the family farm that would be their home, adding three more sons over the next nine years. Marilyn and Ray were married for 47 years until Ray’s passing in 2010.
   Marilyn loved to sing and was a fixture in the church choir for many years. She was particularly fond of board games. Scrabble was her hands-down favorite. She helped create many cherished memories with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her many friends.
   Marilyn was a prayer warrior who placed great faith in God. Her depth of character and love for her family helped shape the futures of her children and their children as well.
   Marilyn is survived by her brother, James Travaille, her daughter Sandy and sons Ron, Kurt, Tom and Brent, as well as eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Ripon
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, October 28, 2017