Marion Booth ROGERS

ROGERS, Marion Booth

With her family gathered around her, Marion Booth Rogers, passed from this world on February 11, 2014, the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes. Marion was born in New Haven, CT in January 1933, the daughter of Marion Noble Booth and Albie Booth, Yale's legendary All-American and College Football Hall of Fame Member, known as "Little Boy Blue." She grew up in New Haven and graduated from Albertus Magnus College with a B.A. Degree in History. She later earned a Master's Degree in Education from Southern Connecticut State University.
She was teaching secondary school in the New Haven School System when she met her future husband, Charles "Chuck" Lightwood Rogers, through a family friend who was also serving with Chuck in the Counter Intelligence Corps of the U.S. Army. Marion and Chuck embarked on a whirlwind romance that led to their marriage in Hamden, CT in November 1955. Immediately thereafter, Marion and Chuck moved to Palo Alto, CA where Chuck completed his law degree at Stanford Law School. Beginning in 1959, Marion and Chuck settled in the Pasadena area, including South Pasadena and San Marino, where they resided for the rest of their lives.
Marion and Chuck enjoyed nearly 55 years of marriage until Chuck passed away in October 2010. Together, they raised their 6 children: Pamela Burton (John) of Temple City, David (Vicky) of San Marino, Albie of Newport Beach, Marion Riley Campbell (Robin Campbell) of Park City, UT, Charlie (Anne) of San Marino, and Sarah Rogers Krappman (Matthew Krappman) of San Gabriel. Their children fondly recall Mom's absolute love of family, her strong faith, her sweetness, her selflessness, her fortitude, her long lasting energy (her late husband nicknamed her the "Energizer Bunny"), and her meticulous eye for detail.
Marion was blessed with 16 grandchildren, ranging in ages from 29 to 2 years old, and cherished all of them: Timothy, Nancy Li, Lisa, Sarah, Renee and Michelle Burton; Ryan and Spencer Rogers; Marion Theresa, Liam and Eileen Riley; Thomas and Brian Rogers; and Charlie, Kevin and Patrick Krappman. She also adored her two great grandchildren, Rebecca and Abigail Li.
While raising her 6 children, Marion immersed herself in her children's activities, earning the highest awards for volunteerism from both the South Pasadena and the San Marino School Districts. She made many friends through the South Pasadena Woman's Club, a social and philanthropic club. These friends remained close to her for 50+ years. They encouraged her further philanthropic work through the Assistance League of Pasadena, where she served as President from 1982-83, as well as PEO, a national philanthropic organization promoting educational opportunities for women, where Marion made many contributions over the course of her 40+ year membership. She also served in many capacities with the National Charity League of San Marino, where she and her daughter, Sarah, shared many mother-daughter service opportunities.
Marion was devoted to her faith and served for decades as a Eucharistic Minister at Holy Family Church. She was appointed a Lady of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre by the Catholic Church (and Chuck, a Knight of the Order) 25 years ago, in support of the Christian presence in the Holy Land. Marion cherished her membership in Christ Child Society of Pasadena, particularly since she shared this experience with her daughters, Sarah and Marion, and daughter-in-law, Anne, who are also members.
While her focus in life was always on family, her home was also a source of pride and joy to share with family and friends. Marion found time to pursue her passion for interior decorating. She redecorated several homes in which she and her family lived, each in a different style and vintage. She also shared her talents with her friends and clients.
In addition to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Marion is survived by her devoted sister, Alberta "Albie" Booth of Laguna Beach, and Alberta's children Susan (Chris) Wadden, Drew (Helen) of Laguna Niguel, and Albie (Alice) of Franklin, TN, and many other nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her beloved brother-in-law, Jack Rogers, and his wife, Mary. She will be terribly missed by the residents and staff at The Oaks of Pasadena where she lived for the past 3-1/2 years and served as President of the Residents' Association until shortly before her passing.
A celebration of Marion's life will be held at St. Philip the Apostle Church, 115 South Hill Avenue, Pasadena, on Friday, March 28, 2014 at 4:30 pm with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to Huntington Hospital, Assistance League of Pasadena, or Christ Child Society of Pasadena.