Marian DeSoto

DeSOTO, Marian Passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on September 18, 2005, after a courageous and long battle with lung cancer, at the age of 79. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 56 years, renown Santa Rosa High School teacher, Eugene "Coacher" DeSoto. Marian was born Marian Rose Hallihan on January 1, 1926 in Richmond, CA. She grew up in Richmond and graduated in the Richmond High class of 1944. Marian attended San Francisco State College and was president of the Nu Phi My sorority whose activities included participation in bay area USO programs and several national cancer prevention campaigns. Marian was employed with the Department of the Navy in Oakland, CA as a Clerk-Typist from 1945 to 1947. In 1948, Marian married Eugene DeSoto, whom she had met on a blind date. Marian and Gene started their family of six boys and lived in Oakland until 1964 when they moved to the west Sonoma County town of Cazadero. Marian was a stay at home mom who devoted her time to her husband and six sons. Marian and Gene moved to Santa Rosa in 1972 where she took up a career as an apartment manager at the North Street Apartments until she retired in 1981. Marian moved to Lake County in March 2004, shortly after her husband passed away. Marian was an avid Oakland A's fan. Even during the most difficult days of her illness, she followed the progress of her beloved A's with great interest. Marian also had a deep passion for reading and was a zealous garage sale shopper. Marian will be forever remembered for her love and devotion to her family. Marian is survived by her six sons and daughters-in-law: Craig and Miranda DeSoto of Hawaii; Wes and Elaine DeSoto of Kentucky; Jan DeSoto of Santa Rosa; Chris and Christine DeSoto of Rohnert Park; Doug and Carmelita DeSoto of Middletown; and, Dennis DeSoto of Elk Grove. Marian had seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In addition, Marian is survived by sisters Cammie Bruner of Concord and Phyllis Helton of Arizona, as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Family and friends are invited to attend an interment service at Santa Rosa Memorial Park on Saturday, September 24, 2005, at 10:00 a.m. Donations in Marian's memory may be made to Hospice Services of Lake County, 1717 South Main Street, Lakeport, CA 95453. LAFFERTY & SMITH COLONIAL CHAPEL 539-2921