Shirley Mae Marks

Shirley M. Hehir Marks passed peacefully on Wednesday February 10, 2021 in Roseville, CA. Shirley had survived a long illness with Systemic Scleroderma. Her family wants to especially thank her team of doctors at UC Davis. Without their innovative treatment we would not have had the wonderful experiences of the last eight years with Shirley. Shirley was predeceased by her husband of 48 years Ronald R. Marks. She is survived by her son Gregory Marks and Daughter-in-law Nancy and their 6 children Janessa Marks Torrey (Jacob), Sarah Miller, Mark Miller (Suzi), Laura Sedillo (Derek), Candice Craig (Bryan), Paul Miller (Alesha) and 13 great-grandchildren. She was also survived by her daughter Maureen Dickson and Son-in-law Edmund (Ned) and their 2 daughters Laura Dickson and Barbara Dickson; Sisters-in-law Yvonne Christofferson and Betty McPherson, 19 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews. Shirley was born at home in Ventura CA to Barbara M and John B Hehir. A talented pianist, Shirley accompanied choirs and musicals at both her junior high and high school. With her friends she was a part of the Unnamed Trio a jazz combo that played locally and competed in a talent contest on KTLA, coming in second. She graduated from Ventura High and attended Ventura College. In 1955 Shirley married the love of her life Ronald Marks. Ron and Shirley lived in Southern and Northern California in their early married life, eventually settling down in Ojai, CA. Shirley used her talented fingers to start her career as a typist at Ventura High and after graduation and attending college she began her career at TICOR title insurance in the typing pool. Shirley quickly became an escrow secretary and for several years held many secretarial positions. Shirley went back to college to obtain her certification as a legal secretary and eventually went back to work full time at TICOR as an escrow secretary. A lifelong learner Shirley again attended Ventura College to gain the knowledge to become an escrow technician and eventually an escrow officer. Shirley volunteered in her communities throughout her life. She was a room mom for the kids, drove lots of Boy Scout drop offs so Greg could go backpacking, and was a Leader in Campfire Girls. Shirley was on the Scholarship Committee for the Ventura County Escrow Association and after her retirement, she volunteered at Topa Topa Elementary with the Rolling Readers, as well as Help of Ojai, The Ojai Valley Shelter and St. Andrew’s church. Upon moving to Eskaton Gold River she became the community’s librarian and was President of the Resident’s Association for 5 years. She was on the reunion committee for Ventura High Class of “53” and had yearly reunions with her dear friends “The Girls of ‘53”. Shirley loved to travel and had many memorable trips with her husband Ron including to National parks, riding the Coast Starlight to Seattle, cruising to Mexico and traveling to New York City and Washington D.C. After Ron’s death she traveled to Alaska, Ireland, Mexico and Panama Canal with her childhood friends Marianne and Sandy, as well as numerous trips in California with many other friends. Shirley loved music and theatre. She attended musical and theater events all over California, and regularly caught Broadway shows in Los Angeles and after her move, in San Francisco and Sacramento. Shirley also loved to read and was rarely seen without a book close to hand. Services for Shirley are being held at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Sacramento on Sunday May 2, 2021 at 2pm. Due to COVID restrictions, we will be streaming the service on Trinity Cathedral’s Facebook live page, with limited live attendance. Donations can be made to the UC Davis Dermatology Research and Education funds at give.ucdavis.edu/Donate/YourGift/4912224 or the Trinity Cathedral Memorial Fund.