On February 3rd, 2000, my grandmother, Marilyn Hall, died at the age of 77.

As far back as I can remember, Grandma spent most of her time helping others. She was a kind soul, always giving, always supporting, always inspiring.

The last time I saw her before her stroke was when we had a karaoke party. She liked one of the songs I sang (Building a Mystery).

I knew this was coming, and it's my fault and my shame that I didn't spend more time with her. I wish she had been able to see the multimedia project I was making for her, of her taped readings of her book.

I'll miss you, Grandma.

--Shawn

Her Life

arilyn Hall was born on September 10, 1922 in the small town of Walton, Indiana to Lee and Mildred Foster. She moved to California at the age of 19. Then she took a bus by herself to visit her sister in Lodi. She stayed and got a job at the Tracy Defense Depot. She met and married her husband, Rufus Hall, in 1946. She was a mom and a homemaker, raising 4 children — 3 boys and a girl.

Marilyn was quite artistic. She loved to write poetry, and song lyrics, and enjoyed doing pencil portraits of family members, based on her favorite snapshots. She also enjoyed music — gospel and country western were her favorites. She had fond memories of going to flea markets. Her husband used to make wooden crafts and they would get booths at the flea markets and sell their wares. She said it was always fun, meeting and talking to new people.

There is always today
by Marilyn Hall

Spend each moment of today as if it were your last
Yesterday has already passed (is already past)
Tomorrow never comes, for when it does
it becomes today and today was tomorrow yesterday