Marilyn Virginia Smith-Tracy
October 4, 1935 — February 18, 2024
Marilyn Smith-Tracy passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 18, 2024, at Winslow House in Marion, Iowa. She was 88 years old.
Marilyn was born October 4, 1935, in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Timothy and Mary Pickthall. Marilyn’s first love was for the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Marilyn’s dad migrated to the United States from England as a young boy all by himself and was her “best buddy”. Growing up, he took her on drives to the higher mountains almost every Sunday. They went on many hikes, camping trips and wading in clear streams. They took trips from Denver to San Francisco where she and her dad roamed through maritime museums as he loved old-time sailing ships and beaches. That is how the ocean became her second love. Marilyn’s mother, who was born in Greeneville, Mississippi, preferred indoor life.
Marilyn’s husband was from the Western Slope of Colorado, near Grand Junction. They had two sons and one daughter together. She moved to California in 1969 but was always homesick for Colorado. She moved to Iowa from the “once beautiful” town of Paradise in the Northern California foothills in November 2018. Her son, Troy, flew her to Iowa to stay with his family in November 2018, after a devastating wildfire destroyed the town of Paradise. She enjoyed her time in Marion and the many friends and acquaintances she met there.
In her early years, Marilyn worked in the para-medical field in hospitals, but always had a strong desire to be a nurse. She went back to college while her children were still young and obtained her associate degree in 1986 from Yuba College in California. She then worked as an LPN/LVN.
Marilyn’s interests were her family, travel and she found great delight watching animal shows and videos. She had many cats during her lifetime. Her most recent, now resides with her granddaughter in Idaho. Marilyn would spend many hours in recent years doing ‘armchair’ travels dreaming of places she’d like to visit.
Marilyn was proud to be a Jehovah’s Witness. She held her faith very close to her and met many wonderful and loving witnesses wherever she lived.
Marilyn is survived and lovingly remembered by her children, Marcy Sutcliffe, of Meridian, Idaho, Troy Peebler of Marion, Iowa; grandchildren, Valerie Leidig, Michael Peebler, Brandon Hill and Makina Viner; and great-grandchildren, Emma Leidig, Gavin Leidig, Liam Viner, and Lily Viner.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Daryl Peebler; and sister, Beverly Bachand.
Memorials in Marilyn’s memory may be directed to the family.
Marilyn was born October 4, 1935, in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Timothy and Mary Pickthall. Marilyn’s first love was for the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Marilyn’s dad migrated to the United States from England as a young boy all by himself and was her “best buddy”. Growing up, he took her on drives to the higher mountains almost every Sunday. They went on many hikes, camping trips and wading in clear streams. They took trips from Denver to San Francisco where she and her dad roamed through maritime museums as he loved old-time sailing ships and beaches. That is how the ocean became her second love. Marilyn’s mother, who was born in Greeneville, Mississippi, preferred indoor life.
Marilyn’s husband was from the Western Slope of Colorado, near Grand Junction. They had two sons and one daughter together. She moved to California in 1969 but was always homesick for Colorado. She moved to Iowa from the “once beautiful” town of Paradise in the Northern California foothills in November 2018. Her son, Troy, flew her to Iowa to stay with his family in November 2018, after a devastating wildfire destroyed the town of Paradise. She enjoyed her time in Marion and the many friends and acquaintances she met there.
In her early years, Marilyn worked in the para-medical field in hospitals, but always had a strong desire to be a nurse. She went back to college while her children were still young and obtained her associate degree in 1986 from Yuba College in California. She then worked as an LPN/LVN.
Marilyn’s interests were her family, travel and she found great delight watching animal shows and videos. She had many cats during her lifetime. Her most recent, now resides with her granddaughter in Idaho. Marilyn would spend many hours in recent years doing ‘armchair’ travels dreaming of places she’d like to visit.
Marilyn was proud to be a Jehovah’s Witness. She held her faith very close to her and met many wonderful and loving witnesses wherever she lived.
Marilyn is survived and lovingly remembered by her children, Marcy Sutcliffe, of Meridian, Idaho, Troy Peebler of Marion, Iowa; grandchildren, Valerie Leidig, Michael Peebler, Brandon Hill and Makina Viner; and great-grandchildren, Emma Leidig, Gavin Leidig, Liam Viner, and Lily Viner.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Daryl Peebler; and sister, Beverly Bachand.
Memorials in Marilyn’s memory may be directed to the family.
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