Marjorie Louise (French) Derby |
| Posted 2009-10-14 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Ojai Valley News, Ojai Valley, Calif. March 21, 2007 Marjorie Louise Derby, age 86, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2007. Marjorie was born January 10, 1921 in Clarkdale, Ariz., to Albert and Ernestine French and was the elder of two daughters. During her lifetime she lived in many places including Arizona, Alaska, and Santa Fe, New Mexico, but spent the majority of her life in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and ultimately called Ojai her home. Marjorie attended Santa Barbara State College until she was enlisted in the Coast Guard March 9, 1942 as a WWII SPAR. Marjorie married in 1944, raised three daughters and excelled in many careers including fashion model, teacher, and public relations director for the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara. She began her career in the investment business in 1964 as an investment securities representative registered with The Chicago Board of Trade. In 1968 she received her brokerage training in New York where she had to receive special permission as a woman to visit the all-male floor of the New York Stock Exchange. In 1983 Marjorie opened an investment and insurance office in Ojai with her daughter Victoria and in 1986 incorporated as Derby & Derby, Inc. Marjorie retired in December 1990. Marjorie loved and was well known in the Ojai community. She touched the lives of many and is remembered as an incredible woman who was gracious, elegant, beautiful and classy. She is survived by her daughters and son-in-laws, Dr. Bonnie Snyder Fly and Dr. Dave Fly, Cheri and Jeff Maxson, and Victoria and Dan Breen; her grandchildren, Dustin Ealand and Zac Breen; her great-grandchild, Justin Ealand; and her niece, Julia Watson Frandsen. To honor Marjorie's wishes there will be no funeral services, however, on May 5th at the home of Dan, Victoria and Zac Breen there will be a gathering in celebration of Marjorie's life. All who choose to join in are welcome. Further information will be provided in late April. Donations in memory of Marjorie may be made to Oak Grove School in Ojai. The family would also like to extend tremendous gratitude to Dr. James Halverson and his staff, the loving and caring staffs of The Gables of Ojai, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital Continuing Care Center, The Aegis of Ventura and Hospice who assisted Marjorie and her family during the last years of Marjorie's life. |
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