Kern County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....Smith, Marian Harman November 1 2004 ********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/obitsca/obitsca.htm ********************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: K T bluewolf@onemain.com November 4, 2004, 4:25 pm The Bakersfield Californian Marian Harman Smith Celebration of Life: Sunday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m. Marian Harman Smith departed this life on Monday, November 1, 2004 after a short illness. The picture shown is of Marian on September 18th of this year. Marian was born June 21, 1912, in Bakersfield. She attended Bakersfield High School and San Jose State College. She was married for 65 years to her sweetheart from the age of 11, Lyle Wyman Smith. Lyle preceded her in death on January 24, 2002. Lyle worked for Shell Oil Company, and he and Marian moved frequently before retiring to Ventura. During those years Marian raised three children and was active in community affairs. In Bakersfield she was a founding member of Symphony Associates, a volunteer in the Memorial Hospital gift shop when it first opened, and a member of AAUW, Petroleum Wives, the Great Books group and the Shell Book Club. In other communities she volunteered in the thrift shop for the Child Guidance Clinic and in the library. Everywhere she lived, she was an enthusiastic bridge player who often came home with the money, playing for stakes sometimes as high as $5.00. She treasured the beauty of California. At age 19, she and her father hiked up Mt. Whitney. She began a love affair with Yosemite National Park in 1924, when her family took the train into the Valley and camped out the whole summer. She and Lyle went back to Yosemite every year, often with family and friends. She hiked the 50-mile trail in Yosemites back country when she was 74. Marian and Lyle traveled widely in America, to Europe and three times to China. Marians last big trip was to Spain in May, 2003. In recent years, she worked at the computer every day, writing sparkling emails. She continued to read, garden, and play bridge and she took great interest in all of the activities of her friends, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always ready for a party. Marian is survived by daughter Dana Linnea Smith and partner Bishop Cochran of Seville, Spain and Ventura; son Mark Alan Smith and daughter-in-law Susan Reep of Bakersfield; and daughter-in-law Anne Smith of Anchorage. She was preceded in death by her son, Eric Wyman Smith of Anchorage. She also leaves behind grandson Kent Wyman Smith and wife Cristina Valdes Smith of Menlo Park; and granddaughters Jennifer Constantine and husband Matt, Karen Davies and husband Steve, Kimberly Marian Smith and husband Jose Castellanos, all of Bakersfield; and great-grandchildren Benjamin Smith; Sarah, Sophia and Joseph Constantine; Annabelle Davies; and Alexandra, Daxton and Xavier Eric Castellanos. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Lucille Harman of Stockton and Marion A. Smith of San Luis Obispo and many nieces, nephews and cousins. We will remember Marians bright spirit. She was independent, cheerful and optimistic. Life was fun when Marian was around. She will continue to inspire all of us. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2:00 p.m., at the home of Mark Smith and Susan Reep, 5400 Edge Water Drive, 93312. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to contribute to either of two causes dear to Marians heart: the Yosemite Association or the Lyle W. and Marian H. Smith Scholarship at Ventura High School. You may make checks payable to The Yosemite Association or Ventura High School and send to the family at the above address. Additional Comments: Volunteer submission - No relation to deceased. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/kern/obits/gob2599smith.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/ File size: 4.1 Kb