Marilyn Sue Colegrove

Marilyn Sue Colegrove (Mare Cee) Marilyn passed away on April 27, 2014 at the age of 72. She was born down river on June 1, 1941 to the late Lawrence and Athena Orcutt. She was a member of the Yurok Tribe and was also of Karuk decent. Her early days were spent growing up on the Rube Ranch with her uncle Calvin Rube and her Grandma Nancy Lucky Rube. She always spoke fondly of how much she liked being raised by her Grama Nancy, who she referred to as Mom. This is where her cultural roots where born and where she learned the life lessons that guided how she lived her life as a Yurok Indian person. It was easy to see that this had a profound affect on her and this is what defined her as a person. In 1957 she married the love of her life Bryan Wayne "Stoney" Colegrove Sr. and together they had 9 children, and have lots of grand children. Her and Stoney enjoyed many things, but the love of their family was foremost. They spent much of their time taking care of and spending as much time as they could with their family. They enjoyed spending time with Top Gunner and Momma Mia, and all of the grandkids, and their friends. They welcomed many to their home, whether it be to stay or just for dinner. When they lived out bald hill they were well known for their deer meat BBQ's and big eel roasts. Most of us knew her as mom, gram Mare Cee, Aunty Marilyn, Momma Mare Cee, Cee Cee, or Dad's names for her was woman or old girl. There were many things that brought joy to Mare Cee's life. Stoney, her kids and her grand kids were at the top of this list. The cultural ceremonies were equally as important to her and she was extremely proud of her children for helping to carry on the cultural traditions. She always tried to be there for all of the Deerskin Dances, Boat Dance and Jump Dances. She was an avid supporter and watcher of the brush dances, where she was one of those who sent her girls to place a blanket on her spot in order to save her favorite seat. One of her favorite things to do was to record, and then listen to brush dance songs all of the time. Another big part of her life was spent with her sister, the late Gloria Orcutt Jones. The two of them were joined at the hip for many things, one of their favorite hobbies was rock collection. They spent hours on end on the river bars searching and collecting rocks of what would eventually become their own river-rock garden. Another one of her close friends was Barbara Sheidler who spent lots of time with Marilyn over the years. As a younger women she made some baskets, but her artistic touch was with crocheting hats for the special people in her life. That is why Stoney burke had so many hats. She wasn't that interested in selling her hats, but there were countless people that wanted them. If she happened to make you one, or you ended up with one somehow, you should feel pretty special because she didn't make them for just anyone, and many of those hats were pulled apart and started again. Although we couldn't see any flaws, she did, and she would tear it down and re-do the whole thing. This illustrates the type of person she was because she always wanted to do things right. She was a tough little ole injun women. She fought with migraines as a younger woman, and later in life battled arthritis and more so with kidney problems. Unfortunately she spent many days with others traveling the road to dialysis in Eureka. Although this was a rough spell for her, she received a tremendous amount of support from family and friends that helped make it a little easier for her. Fortunately she was able to get a donor and then two subsequent donors. Mom was very grateful to the kidney donors that allowed her to enjoy another 30 plus years. The fact that she lived through three kidney transplants is a testament of how much of a fighter she really was. She was an inspiration to all of us. One of the only things that bothered her is when people would act like bullies. Or when people would say something mean, she would say if you can't say something nice, then don't say anything at all". For those of us who were lucky enough to know her, we saw just how generous and selfless she really was. Even though it was her who needed the help she was always trying to help somebody else out. She was one of the most understanding and forgiving people on the planet. Her kids benefited from this the most, because no matter what she was always there to support them. Her generosity knew no bounds, as she would give her last dime to anyone who needed it. Mare Cee always put others needs before hers, even when she was having a hard time physically, she would still try to look out for others. This trait reflects back to what she learned as a young lady growing up on Rube Ranch, and the understanding that she was as a genuine injun who is responsible for taking care of people. What a fantastic role model she was. Hopefully this legacy will continue through her kids and their kids thereafter. She was loved by many, and will be missed by all of us. Although this part of life brings sorrow, please rest assured that she is going to a better place, a place where they dance forever. She is rejoicing with Stoney, aunty Gloria, and her whole family. Please take comfort in the fact that she is going to cross over in a good way, and remember she loved and cared for all of you. She was proceeded in death by her husband Bryan Stoney Colegrove, her mother Athena and Father Lawrence, sister Gloria Jones, brothers Wayne Orcutt and Harvey Orcutt; mother and father in-law Alfred Nolan and Mable Colegrove; uncle Calvin Rube and grand mother Nancy Lucky Rube; and brother inlaw Rigs Colegrove and sister inlaw Alfreda Pratt. She is survived by her brother Lawrence Dud Orcutt and wife Barbara, sister Delores Sitts; brother inlaws Christopher Colegrove, Gary and Kathy Colegrove, Lionel and Ilene Colegrove, Her children: Bryan Colegrove, Jr and Kathy McCovey, Jaclyn Faye Colegrove and Robert Anderson, Cindy Sue Colegrove, Lonny Boyd Colegrove, Nolan and Tory Colegrove, Alphonso and Karrie Colegrove, Alfredo Billy and Christy Colegrove, Lucki Colegrove and Paul Kuska, and Ryan Colegrove. Grand Children: Amanda and Josh Colegrove, Kristy and Stoney McCoy, Jack and Joe Worthen, Say-gep Best, Grizz, Jason White and Sheshep Robbins, Heather and Bob Campbell, Belle Donahue, Fawn Bussell; Nikki and Steve Valentine, Owee, Hallee, Jordee Colegrove, Mike Carlson; Buck Risling, Gary Jaun III, Jacqueline Risling, Tuffy; Anthony and Brandon Colegrove ; Spike and Rich Guyer; Ben, Savannah, Tatianna and Gunner Ray. Great Grandchildren: Uriha, Brianna, Simeon, kristis, Rhea, Renet, Malachi, Meskell, CheyChey, troy, Bobby, Tristen, Lane, Scarlet, fawn's, Bella, Me-dil, Sasha, Kih-na-dil. Pall Bearers will be all of her grandsons and Doug Jackson, Paul Kuska, Steve Valentine and Robert Anderson. Honorary Pall bearers will be Lawrence Dud Orcutt, Mike, Kevin and Larry Orcutt, Glenn Moore II, Everett Tweet Colegrove Sr, , Everett Muss Colegrove, Gary Colegrove, Snunty Colegrove, Lionel Stuart Colegrove, Christopher Colegrove, Web Jackson, Bucky Jackson, Phillip Vigil, Dave Vigil, Rodney Vigil, Rick Hall, Dave Drake Sr., Loren and Sherman Norton, Sling Lewis, Norman Lewis Sr., Aester McCovey, Paul White, Wilbear and Pergish Carlson, Bill and Will Bowers, William Joe Jarnaghan, Walt Blacksnake Lara, Joe Bain, James and Bullcalf Donahue, Sonny, Dewey and Harold Jones, Bob Campbell, Geno Young, Tyke Robbins ,Ronnie Robbins, Hank and Elrod Masten, Warrior Sanchez, Paul James, Jesse James, Joe James, Rob and Javier Kinney, Mike Robertson, Mike, Boyd and Stan Ferris, Gary and Freddy Lewis, Hooty and Jamie Lewis, Kahno Dowd, Dicky Meyers, Merv George, Jr., Johnny Knox Marshall, Dean Powell, George Porty Blake, Jake and Robert Blake, Dougy, Donny, Charly, EZ, GT and Danny Jackson, Spam Ferris, Larry Goodell Jr. and Sr, Tswenaldin Vanpelt, Bob, Rob and Stuart McConnell, Wally Morton, Brian Stevens, Merky Oliver, Omar Dean Jr., Floyd Montgomery, Leighton Jones Jr. and Sr., Clyde Moon Sr., Freddy Marshall, Gary and Bunchy Dempewolf, Delevan McCovey, Sonny Pratt, Brian and David Tripp, Chino Young, Youckton Boys, Big Jeff, Jeffery and Alex Hodge, Doug, Oiler and Flabs Brown, Ed Guyer Sr., Oscar Billings, John Torres, Robbie and Rene Almodovar, Stan Capoeman, David, Micheal, Robert Drake, Roscoe, Diggs and Rocky Colegrove. Services will be held at the Neighborhood Facilities in Hoopa on Thursday, May 1, 2014, starting at 11:00 A.M., with the burial to follow at the Colegrove Family Plot on Pine Creek Road. She will be starting her last journey here in this world from the ocean then up river, and a wake will be held on Wednesday evening April 30, at her residence. The Honorable George Blake will be officiating. The family would like to thank all of those who helped her along the way, and a special Thank you to her doctors, Dr. Eva Smith, Dr. Robert Wolf, and Dr. Matthews. Please sign the guestbook at www.times-standard.com and click on obituaries.