Obituary of Marilyn Catherine (nee Muller) Stockemer

Marilyn Catherine Stockemer, 85, of La Crescenta, California passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on September 13, 2014. Marilyn was born to Robert and Edith Muller on September 25, 1928 in Los Angeles California. In 1946 Marilyn graduated from Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles. She earned her degree in Education at the University of Southern California where she joined her sister Patricia Muller Hickey’s sorority - Gamma Phi Beta. While at USC she enjoyed cheering on her Trojan football team at games, attending various social events at her sorority and with neighboring fraternities and working on philanthropic projects with her sorority sisters. She loved to tell the story that while she was at USC the infamous mascot (dog) Tire Biter was there during that time as well. Marilyn met the love of her life, Joseph Walter Stockemer, when they were set up by their mutual dentist and his wife (aka Dr. and Mrs. Cupid). The introduction worked out so well that on February 23, 1957, Joe and Marilyn were married at Joe’s boyhood parish, St. Brendan’s Catholic Church. Champagne, music and laughter flowed so steadily that those in attendance always spoke highly of their wondrous time, even decades thereafter. Shortly after their wedding, Marilyn & Joe purchased a home in La Crescenta and lived there for the remainder of their lives. They were both blessed with three loving sons - Robert, Joseph and Thomas and welcomed all three into the world with open arms and heartfelt love. Prior to starting her own family, Marilyn taught second grade at Apperson Elementary School in Sunland/Tujunga, where she went to after graduating from USC, and taught there up until she was pregnant with her first son Robert. Marilyn never lost her thirst for knowledge. She was always up on current events and could talk about any subject at all - politics, business, sports and entertainment, just to name a few. Marilyn was a devout Catholic and with her husband Joseph was a founding parishioner of Saint James the Less in La Crescenta. She remained a parishioner of St. James until her recent passing and over the years was actively involved in her church with such ministries and events as the Altar Society, the running of the business office for CCD (religious education), chairing the cotton candy booth at the annual carnival, performing as a Eucharist Minister for Sunday masses, as well as being active with the Christ Child Society Group. Marilyn was wholeheartedly involved in all of her sons’ lives, as well as all of their activities at school and was always home room mother, bringing in treats to classes, chaperoning and driving on field trips. She loved to read all the classic children’s books to her sons and was a key member of the Phi Kappa Psi Mother’s Club at her son Joe’s fraternity at USC. Some of Marilyn’s favorite recreational activities included tail gating at home coming football games at USC, aerobic dancing, card playing, golfing and music. However, cruising was her favorite past time and was a love she shared with her husband and sons. Joe and Marilyn traveled on 18 different cruises to various exotic locations. On their 50th Anniversary they renewed their vows while on a cruise to Mexico surrounded by family and friends. Her favorite destination was Hawaii. In her lifetime, she visited the islands ten times, where she fell in love with the music, Mai Tai’s and sunsets. Marilyn loved all social events, but most specifically those with a family focus. She especially delighted in finding a “good deal” or sale and always seemed to have a coupon for everything. She loved to laugh and read murder mysteries especially those penned by Mary Higgins Clark. She loved all the holidays and had decorations for them all. Marilyn probably loved Christmas festivities the most and had enough ornaments to fill half a dozen Christmas trees. Marilyn is survived by her, sons and daughter-in-law Kimberly, her sister-in-law, Janet Muller, her brother-in-law Joseph Hickey, her nieces Angela Stockemer, Teresa Stockemer, Robin Manson, Shelia Hickey, Connie Stockemer and Diane Muller and her nephews David Stockemer, Richard Muller, Steven Muller, Michael Muller, Gregory Hickey, James Hickey Brandon Muller and Greg Roberts. Marilyn was preceded in death by her big sister Patricia Hickey and her big brother Robert Muller. The Funeral Mass for Marilyn will be held this Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. located at St. James Catholic Church in La Crescenta. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Heart Of The Nation: www.mysundaymass.org Arrangements made by Crippen Mortuary