Marian M. Michaels

Marian Marie Michaels
was born in Lakewood, Ohio and moved to Burbank, California in the 1930s when her father brought his beauty business to serve clients in the city's developing movie studios. Marian's childhood included show jumping and riding horses with her best friend Berny on the studios' western lots and learning how to dance Flamenco. Her life changed when she and a group of college friends rented a house for spring break in Laguna Beach. That was when she fell in love with a lifeguard named Donn Michaels. Marian and Donn were married in 1950. Son Craig was born in 1951 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Orange County, while Donn was a U.S. Marine serving in the Korean War. Daughters Cathy and Cindy were born in the original wing of Hoag Hospital in 1953 and 1954. Their early years were spent in homes in Laguna Beach, Riverside, Anaheim and Newport Beach before settling in the Balboa Peninsula Point.Marian lived a full life, as a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and volunteer. During her children's younger years, Marian volunteered as a Girl Scout leader and a PTA president at their schools. In 1971, when Donn transferred his many years of experience in the construction business into his own firm, Marian also served as the company bookkeeper. Marian began her 55-year connection to St. James Episcopal Church on Via Lido as a regular member of the congregation in 1965. Her numerous positions there include serving as the administrator of the parish, the church finance director, and assistant for parish life; handling baptisms, weddings, and funerals; while managing the front office staff, and all church volunteers. She also became the church's unofficial historian and volunteered with the Flower Guild. She retired after 45 years on the job, and it was said she was the heartbeat of the parish. Marian is remembered for her gentle nature, generous spirit and hospitality. Her rose gardens were always spectacular, as were her floral arrangements at home and at church. Marian was renowned for the impressive meals she prepared and table settings she created. She loved using the good silver and china and had cloth napkins and candles of every color imaginable.Marian is survived by daughters Cathy Michaels and Cindy Drennan, grandson Travis Michaels, great-grandson Robert Michaels, former daughter-in-law Pam Michaels, long-time friends Brenda Burney and Bernard Wolff, cousins Clyde and Lia MacLeod with Ian, Rhianna and Melissa, great-nephew Ryan Watt, and great-niece Reese Watt. She was preceded in death by her parents Luella Esther Clark Mitchell and Vincenzo Melandri, husband Donn Michaels, brother Vincent Melandri, son Craig Michaels, nieces Michele Melandri and Andrea Melandri Watt. A celebration of Marian's life will be held on November 6, 2021, at ten o'clock in the morning at St. James Anglican Church, 2995-A Airway Avenue in Costa Mesa. A private inurnment ceremony will be held at Pacific View Cemetery in Newport Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to St. James Anglican Church, or to a charity of your choice.