Marion Rose Forker

1922 - 2022

Marion Rose Forker was born on September 22, 1922 in Battle Creek, Nebraska. Marion lived in Long Beach, California over seventy years and passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at CrestaVilla Assisted Living in Laguna Niguel, California. She was 99.

Born to Carl and Agnes Dittrick, Marion was the last surviving member of her immediate family of three brothers and two sisters.

Marion experienced the hardships of life while growing up during the Great Depression of the 1930's. She battled for nightly food rations having three older brothers and two sisters. Marion was always considered tough, tenacious, driven, and strong. After moving to California in her late teens, Marion worked for several families as a nanny in Hollywood. When war required her service, she was drafted into the Air Force and served until 1946.

In 1948, she met Ben Forker at the Sky Room in downtown Long Beach. Soon after, they were married, and they had four children: David, Gregory, Gerald and Patricia. After marriage, Ben and Marion settled in Long Beach, CA to raise their family enjoying the weekends in Laguna Beach with friends and neighbors, along with golf trips to La Quinta, Palm Springs and other local areas.

Marion worked for IBM as a Data Key Puncher (the original IBM computers). In the 1970's, Marion passed the California Real Estate exam and in her late 40's became a successful real estate agent in Long Beach and Seal Beach. Marion retired in her 60's and enjoyed travel and spending time with her children.

At the age of 70, Marion was diagnosed with cancer, but that did not hamper her passion for life. She said she was not afraid, and with courage and tenacity, she focused on recovery and getting back to doing the things she loved: spending time with her family. After three more bouts of cancer at ages 74, 90 and 94, Marion persevered and won the war. Her courageous and can-do attitude made her a candidate as an ambassador at Long Beach Memorial's Cancer ward for women who needed support. Marion will always be known for her support, positive attitude and will to live.

In her 60's through her 90's, her family was fortunate to take her on many vacations. She enjoyed a cruise, many trips to San Francisco reminiscing about her early years in the city, trips around North America, Mexico, East Coast, Midwest, Hawaii, Pacific Northwest and most recently Wyoming. She loved seeing the moose, and other wildlife.

Her family loved her so much as she was the matriarch. She was small in stature but had a big love for life with her family. She will be greatly missed. Marion is survived by her four children, eight grandchildren, two great grandchildren, three daughters-in-law, and her son in law.