Marilyn Fravel

1950 - 2018

Marilyn Fravel
Henderson, NV
She had big hair. A big laugh. And a big life. That life, which ended on April 11, was packed into 67 years of achievement, compassion, and hilarity. Marilyn Demos Fravel touched everyone who crossed her path, making each a little more caring, a little more amused. Born in Santa Cruz on Oct 4, 1950, Marilyn was a go-getter from the start, a high-achiever who made it look easy. She received her BS in Nursing from the University of San Francisco in 1972 and began a life-long nursing career that took her from geriatrics to hospital administration (serving as president of both the San Francisco Easter Seals and the East Bay Easter Seals) to opening a number of senior assisted-living facilities and finally into teaching. Her administrative skills were unparalleled, but it was her ability to connect with people—patients, employees, nursing students, patrons, a naked old man sitting in church—that was Marilyn's gift. Countless people joined the Marilyn Fan Club during her 67 years, and if she were here, she'd no doubt quip, "There's a Groucho Marx joke in there somewhere...."
Marilyn met Bill Fravel in 1968, and on their first date, he took her fishing on the wharf. Marilyn had gotten "all decked out" for the date, but it didn't phase her one bit that her lovely green coat ended up smelling like fish. Marilyn and Bill married in 1970, and she found the loving family she had always wanted. The Fravels were her refuge, and she fit right in. She was especially adored by Bill's Nana, who would often ask Marilyn to rub her legs with Vicks. Marilyn would comply because Nana was a nurse, which meant they had a connection that transcended the medicinal fumes.
Over the years, Marilyn grew into her self-proclaimed role of WOFA, Wife of Fine Artist. Marilyn defined the critical role that WOFAs play, encouraging Bill in his art and promoting his work as only she could, while Bill insisted she just wanted to have more letters after her name. The debate was never resolved, but those close to Marilyn and Bill confirm that she was a WOFA extraordinaire. Ever the administrator, she even served as Director of the Sedona Art Center when she and Bill moved to Arizona in 2005.
Marilyn was also an LMOS: Loving Mother of Only Son, Emery; an MMIL, Magnificent Mother-in-Law to Shannon; and most recently BN, Best Noni to her grandson, little Emery. So many letters, and now two more: DM. Dearly Missed. Her spontaneous shrieks of laughter. Her way of making one wonder, "Did she really say that?" Her kindness. Her bunions.
Marilyn always wanted to write a book, the one accomplishment that eluded her. Recognizing that the word "cancer" strikes terror into most hearts, she had planned to write a book on the funny side of cancer. You might insist, "Cancer isn't funny!" Then again, you weren't married to an artist who'd draw a bullseye on your bald head while you were napping. Indeed, humor helped, as the cancer first took her big hair, then her big laugh, and finally her big life. In the end, though, she was still Marilyn. True to herself always: Smart. Quirky. Often outrageous. The Marilyn we all knew and loved. Marilyn, DM.


View the online memorial for Marilyn Fravel