Larraine T. Marshall

Larraine T. Marshall 1925 - 2016 SAN DIEGO Larraine Ann Thieman was born in Fairmont, Minnesota in 1925 to Archie A. Thieman and Marie C. Scalarene. Larraine passed away at home in San Diego, California on January 8, 2016. Her brother Norman Thieman and her sister Irene Von Ohlen preceded her in death. Her sister Marcy Prodger survives her. Larraine met young Navy officer Byron S. Marshall in Chicago during WWII and they were married in Fairmont, Minnesota in December of 1945 immediately following Byron's return from the Pacific. Daughter Susan was born in Fairmont in 1946 while Byron served on a river boat in China, delivering humanitarian aid. Daughter Sally Ann was born 2 years later at the Naval Hospital in Bethesda, and 10 years later Byron W. was born at the Naval Hospital in San Diego. Larraine's husband Byron passed away at the age of 92 in 2010. In the early 1950's Byron and Larraine settled into the new neighborhood of Oak Park and lived there the remainder of their lives. Larraine began as an active community volunteer going door to door obtaining signatures for local sidewalks and a swimming pool for Colina Park. Larraine was president of the local PTA and a long-time volunteer at: Villa View Hospital; Oak Park Library; Carver School; Chollas Lake; and the Chollas Creek Cleanup. She was on the Oak Park Community Council and wrote and delivered the Oak Park Community newsletter for decades. Larraine served on the advisory board for the development of Naval housing at Chollas Heights following the demolition of the radio towers, and received numerous awards for her service to the community. She was an active member and on the board of directors for Walkabout Int'l for decades. Larraine instituted an annual neighborhood picnic and a caroling event that included the delivery of Christmas cookies to neighbors. During her 80's Larraine organized a neighborhood 4th of July parade and BBQ that has continued annually. Larraine traditionally marched in the parade dressed as Betsy Ross or the Statue of Liberty. In her spare time she welcomed foreign students in her home while they studied English, and until her 90th birthday regularly volunteered to drive neighborhood travelers to the airport. Larraine and her dog Goldie welcomed everyone and as a consequence had many friends of all ages. An informal open house/lunch in Larraine's honor will be held on Sunday, January 31, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at her home at 5495 Redwood St. All friends are welcome. For more info call or text (619) 865-3410 or (206) 465-8810.