A celebration of a long life, well lived! A light has been extinguished in Idyllwild on May 1, 2010. Marilyn Jean (Johnson) Moneysmith has passed from this world, leaving a legacy of kindness, generosity and intelligent creativity behind for those who loved her to remember.

Born June 9, 1925, in Chicago, she married A.D. “Slim” Moneysmith on January 15, 1944 in Oklahoma City. Marilyn and Slim met when he visited the USO where she served fresh donuts to military men during WWII. Slim was a handsome Marine and the two quickly fell in love.

Following the war, Marilyn and Slim made their home in San Diego for more than 40 years. In 1988, they moved to Idyllwild where Marilyn was a founding member of the Idyllwild Quilt Guild. Over the 22 years Marilyn lived here, she won many awards for her wonderful quilts and mentored new quilters in the craft. Her sewing room was always open to those needing a lesson or two.

Marilyn was also a member of the American Legion Post 800 Auxiliary and could often be found at the Post on Friday nights enjoying dinner with friends. She also joined Soroptimists until her health forced her to cut back on her volunteer activities.

Marilyn died of cancer on May 1, 2010. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister; and her husband, Slim. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Mendoza; two grandsons, Robert D. Mendoza and wife Jena Burke, and Michael A. Mendoza and wife Aimee’ Mendoza; two great-grandchildren, Maya and Max Mendoza; brother Alan Johnson and wife Scotty; son-in-law Robert A. Mendoza; and brother-in-law Jack Brabben.

Marilyn is also survived by a circle of friends who will miss her tremendously. Her smile, her tender care for others, and her wry sense of humor — not to mention her wonderful luncheons and dinner parties — will be the stuff of Idyllwild memories and legends for years to come. Those who are left behind are left richer for having known Marilyn Moneysmith.

Marilyn’s family asks that in lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation in her name to the Idyllwild HELP Center or to the Friends of the Idyllwild Library.

A Celebration of Marilyn’s Life is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 22, at the American Legion Idyllwild Post 800, with luncheon to follow provided by the Legion Auxiliary and the Idyllwild Quilt Guild.

Similar Posts

  • Obituary: Charles Miller Dix

    By Reading Time: 1 minute

    Charles Miller Dix, 66, of Idyllwild, died Monday, Aug. 25, 2003, at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Loma Linda from cancer. He was born Jan. 29, 1937, in Chicago. Mr. Dix was a 19-year resident of Idyllwild. He was an electrician and a past manager of the Idyllwild Trailer Park. A celebration of his life…

  • Obituary: David E. Burgess

    By Reading Time: 1 minute

    David “Dave” E. Burgess, 69, of Idyllwild, died from complications of leukemia on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2004 at Hemet Valley Medical Center. Mr. Burgess was born Dec. 9, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minn. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Texas and had been an engineer for 45 years, retiring in 2003 from Remtec Systems in Gardenia….

  • Obituary: Ruth Peters

    By Reading Time: 2 minutes

    Ruth Margaret Peters, 91, of Long Beach, died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2006, in Las Cruces, N.M., of congestive heart failure. She was born Aug. 7, 1915, in Salina, Kan., to Earl and Laura Hudkins. Mrs. Peters earned a master’s degree in education from California State University, Long Beach. She was an elementary school reading specialist…

  • Life Tribute: Sharon McGee Meyerhoff 1941-2021

    By Reading Time: 2 minutes

    It is with the greatest sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother on Friday, Feb. 19 in Palm Desert, California.Sharon Lee (McGee) Meyerhoff was born April 18, 1941 in Livingston, Montana and was the daughter of Mary Elizabeth Stack McGee and Harold McGee. Her parents owned and operated the McGee Photographic Studio…

  • Obituary: Magaret Palmer

    By Reading Time: 1 minute

    Margaret Palmer died March 28, 2001, after an extensive battle with her failing heart. She was in her 89th year of a very successful life. She was a wealthy woman; not by the measure of her monetary worth but by the amount of love, caring, sharing and compassion, given freely to all with no question,…

  • Obituary: John Hanson

    By Reading Time: 1 minute

    John “Johnny” Rodger Hanson, 78, of Hemet, passed away quietly Monday, June 19, 2006 in Hemet after a brief illness. Mr. Hanson was born Aug. 30, 1927 in Chicago but lived the majority of his life in Southern California. He was a decorated veteran serving in the U.S. Army in 1946. He owned Antiques &…