Marion Bleema Roper

1919 - 2009

Marion B. Roper completed 90 remarkable years on Sunday Nov. 22. Her journey began near Perth, Australia as the only child of Arthur and Adelaide Powell on Jan. 15, 1919. Marion loved to tell stories of her childhood in hardscrabble Western Australia.

After gaining a diploma in education, she was hired as a schoolteacher in a one-room school where she learned the art of teaching on the job with occasionally uproarious results. As World War II loomed, she sought to serve her country. Told there were enough recruits in areas typically staffed by women, she joined the Volunteer Coastal Patrol and learned to ride a horse to qualify. During the war she met Cecil (Sam) Roper, a U.S. Navy aircraft mechanic stationed in Australia. They wed in 1944 and in 1946 she came to the United States aboard the U.S.S. Lurline to rejoin Sam at the close of the war. Marion taught several years in Port Hueneme, then worked at Point Mugu as a wind tunnel technician. Yet her heart was in education; as a perennial student and as a teacher. She returned to the classroom, and continued off and on as a substitute teacher and volunteer tutor to the end of her life. Both Sam and Marion enjoyed travel and together they saw much of the world.

Many know Marion for her love of Asian art, her generous gifts of time to charitable organizations in Camarillo, and her passion for gardening. Early in 2009 she was honored as Senior of the Year by the Camarillo Chamber of Commerce. She would surely thank her many friends, colleagues and neighbors for their friendship and sharing of good times. Although she knew her share of difficulties, her oft-quoted motto was, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." She did. Complications stemming from a stroke suffered roughly two months ago ended Marion's life.

Her passing was preceded by her mother Adelaide Powell in 1961, her father Arthur Powell in 1963 and her husband Cecil Roper in 1989. Marion is survived by Elizabeth Roper, her diverse and devoted friends and two cats. Memorial arrangements will be private. Marion would be delighted by your support of the Oxnard Rescue Mission, Camarillo Friends of the Library or Senior Concerns in her memory.