Marian DeSoto

Marian DeSoto passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Sept. 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, Eugene "Coacher" DeSoto, a renowned Santa Rosa High School teacher.

She grew up in Richmond and graduated with the Richmond High Class of 1944. Marian attended San Francisco State College and was president of the Nu Phi Mu 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 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 daughter-in-laws: 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 nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to attend an internment service at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 at Santa Rosa Memorial Park in Santa Rosa. Donations in Marian's memory may be made to Hospice Services of Lake County, 1717 S. Main St., Lakeport, CA 95453. Funeral arrangements by Lafferty & Smith in Santa Rosa, 539-2921.