MARILYN MAE AGUIAR Marilyn Mae Aguiar, 83, passed away peacefully at her home in Chico on Sunday, January 24. Marilyn was born to Clyde and Lela Johnson on October 1, 1932 in Eaton, Colorado. Her family relocated to Orland, California in 1935, taking part in the California Land Grant Program. Marilyn attended Orland schools where she forged many lifelong friendships. Beginning in first grade, she went through school with a dozen close girlfriends who continued to get together throughout their lives for monthly luncheons and short vacations. Marilyn met the love of her life, Lawrence Aguiar, at Orland High School where they were both involved in sports and school events. They married soon after her graduation in 1950 and made their home on the family ranch in Orland. Marilyn spent the next three decades raising their three children, creating a wonderful home, and helping on the ranch during olive harvest. Their family loved to waterski and camp at Lake Shasta. She was also very active in St. Dominic's Catholic Church where she was a member of the Altar Society. Lawrence and Marilyn loved to travel, many times with groups of friends. They travelled all over the United States, including Hawaii and Alaska. They also cruised through the Panama Canal and parts of the Caribbean. Besides traveling, Marilyn was also an avid reader and loved to exercise with her friends at the local health club. She was known for her feisty sense of humor and fun which was especially evident in her uncanny ability to play pranks on her husband every April Fool's Day! Marilyn was preceded in death by Lawrence three years ago after 61 years of marriage. One of her sons, Marvin Aguiar, also preceded her in death, but she is survived by son Jerry Aguiar (Jennifer) of Orland and daughter Lauri Leiker (Mark) of Chico, six grandchildren (Heather Cleek, Kristin Martins, Brian Aguiar, Jessie Stanley, Jake Aguiar, and Alex Leiker), and eight great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life mass will be held at St. Dominic's Catholic Church in Orland on Saturday, January 30 at 11:00 AM, and a reception will follow at the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Orland Community Scholarship Association (P.O. Box 1084, Orland, CA 95963) or the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

Published in Chico Enterprise-Record on Jan. 27, 2016