Marla Susan Williams Columbro

Aug. 19, 1955 - Feb. 13, 2009

Marla Susan Williams Columbro went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 13, 2009, after a two-year battle with cancer.

She was born in Delano, CA, on Aug. 19, 1955, to William Arthur Williams and Helen Williams Stratton. She moved with her family to Vallejo, CA, in 1959 as her father's teaching job took him there.

Marla attended Vallejo Junior High and Vallejo Senior High, graduating in 1973. She graduated Rick's college in Rexburg, Idaho, with a degree in English Literature. She was proficient in English composition, writing children's books and numerous poems.

She completed her certificate as a massage therapist and furthered her career attending the Big Island school of Lomi Lomi Welness Center in Hawaii. She had the opportunity to give Lomi Lomi massages to the marathon runners for the "Iron Man Run" while in Hawaii. She was working at the "Time Out Health Spa" in Placerville, CA, as a certified massage therapist along with owning her own business, "Touch of Serenity," offering Reiki and deep tissue massage and accupressure, incorporating essential oils as a certified aromatherapist.

Marla had an outgoing, affable personality, making friends everywhere she went. She was truly blessed with many supportive advocates during her struggle with cancer as well as many friends and acquaintances throughout her whole life. She enjoyed animals and her cherished pets were always a comfort to her. She loved to garden and traveling was a favorite pastime.

She is preceded in death by her father, William Arthur Williams, and her grandparents, Lawrence and Olive Brewer.

She is survived by her mother, Helen Williams Stratton, and step-father, George Stratton. She also leaves behind her sister, Karyn Williams Knowles (Russell); nieces, Kelly Salas (Scott) and Laura Maeder; uncle, David Brewer; aunt, Carol Patrick (Chuck); step-brothers, Rick Stratton (Tracy) and Corey Stratton; step-sister, Jennifer Acuna (Abraham); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial celebration of Marla's life will be held at Crosswalk Community Church, 2590 First St., Napa, CA, on Thursday, February 26, at 11 a.m.

Any contributions may be made to Hospice of Napa Valley.