Lois (Wilson) Marchant (2011)

MARCHANT, WILSON, PICKERING, INGLESE, JAMES

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 9/5/2011 at 10:57:44

Mountaineer Progress, Wrightwood, Ca 92397
March 17, 2011

LOIS (WILSON) MARCHANT

Lois Marchant loved childlren – her own four, her many students in a lifetime of teaching and children whose families were struggling financially, through her commitment to the former We Care Food Pantry.

Lois was born April 4, 1922 in South Dakota and passed from this life at Desert Knolls in Victorville on March 10, 2011 with family and friends at her bedside.

Lois got her first teaching job in Iowa and met and maried Rex L. Marchant, despite it not being allowed to marry while teaching. They kept what was to become a fifty-four year love and marriage a secret until it had to be announced a year later when the birth of their first child was anticipated. Dorothy Inglese says she not only rated a birth announcement, but had been responsible for a wedding announcement. They had three more children, Darlene Marchant-James, Larry, and Doris Marchant. Rex Marchant died March 7, 1994 after moves to Ontario, California and then to Wrightwood in the mid-1960s and later Phelan. She taught at the Wrightwood Elementary School for the last fourteen years of her teaching career and was always named as a favorite teacher by students and their families. Many youngsters considered her as part teacher, part mother and part loving grandmother.

Lois loved to travel and had a number of unforgettable trips from one that she and Rex took after winning a trip when Rite Ade opened in Phelan to the extended trip she took with her Inglese family to Italy in 1975. She and Rex enjoyed riding motorcycles together.

Lois also loved playing word games and even wanted to play the last week of her life, however her physical body said, “no”.

Lois is survived by her daughter, Dorothy (Bart) Inglese of Phelan, daughter, Darlene James of Palm Desert, 8 grandchildren, 16 Great-Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rex in 1994, daughter Doris and son Larry both in 1990.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of her life on Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m. At the United Methodist Church, 1542 Barbara Street in Wrightwood. At Lois's request there will be no funeral. Instead of flowers, anyone wishing to honor her may donate to St. Vincent De Paul, c/o Blessed Junipero Serra Catholic Church, 8820 Sheep Creek Road, 92371

Transcriber's Note: Lois Wilson Marchant was the daughter of Ersie L. and Ruby T. (Pickering) Wilson, residents of Madison County. She was also a teacher in Madison County.