Marilyn Valadez

Obituary

Marilynn T. Valadez

BLACKFOOT - Marilynn T. Valadez, 55, of Blackfoot, passed away on Thursday, October 1, 2009, following a valiant battle with cancer.

Marilynn was born on April 27, 1954, to Wilford and Ethel Thomas Broncho, and adopted the same day by her parents, Myrtle and Joseph Thorpe Jr., of Blackfoot. Marilynn attended elementary school at St. Margaret's Catholic School in Blackfoot, and then received her higher education in the Los Angeles area. She went on to Cerritos Junior College, Cerritos, California, specializing in culinary arts.

Marilynn also spent a short time at Idaho State University in their cosmetology program. Marilynn lived in Los Angeles, Cerritos and Long Beach, California, before returning to Blackfoot (Lincoln Creek Area).

Marilyn married Lee Darrell Sheepskin and they later divorced. She then married Max E. Valadez on May 8, 1976, in Pocatello.

Marilynn was a cook by trade, and had worked at many different establishments. She catered many funerals for families in the Shoshone-Bannock community. She also worked for the Sho-Ban High School as their cook. Marilynn worked at the Fort Hall Trading Post Bakery and the State Hospital South in the dietary department. Due to health problems, she then retired.

Marilynn was a talented bead worker, taking great pride in her designs. She spent her free time gardening, cooking, baking, cake decorating, reading and loving her cats, hummingbirds and all animals around her home.

Marilyn was known for her wit and humor, and shared many a laugh and good times with family and friends, a story was always waiting to be told and shared with laughter. She was a devoted grandmother and loved caring for her grandchildren.

Marilynn is survived by her husband, Max, of Blackfoot; son, Darrell (Lolita Bringham) Sheepskin; sister, Hazel B. Diaz of Gibson; brothers, Reginal Thorpe, of Fort Hall, Cecil Broncho, Eldon Broncho, Kenneth (Mary) Broncho all of Gibson, and Douglas Lotz of Portland, Oregon; Delphine T. (Harvey) Eagle, of Fort Hall; grandchildren, Keenan S. Sheepskin, Taylor Sheepskin of Blackfoot, and J.G. Sheepskin of Pocatello; uncles and aunts, Mr. And Mrs. Chuck (Margene) Belnap, Mrs. Ruth Ray of Blackfoot, Mrs. Erika Ray, Falls Church, Virginia, Mr. And Mrs. Steve (Ernee) Werelus, Gibson, Mr. Carlino D. Broncho, Alfreda Broncho Denny of Fort Hall, Mazina Williams Lionel Boyer of Gibson and Genevieve Edmo of Fort Hall. Marilynn also leaves behind many family and friends.

A special thank-you to Mrs. Angie Murray, Dr. Jose Rossello and Dr. Cary Jackson and the oncology staff at Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello for their loving care as well as Dr. Callaghen, Dr. Pierson, Jennifer Robinson, P.A. and Creekside Home Health and Hospice.

Marilynn is preceded in death by her sons, Joseph and Gabriel, brother, Darrold S. Broncho, parents and biological parents, grandparents, Mrs. Lula O'Brien, Joseph (Josephine Meeks) Thorpe Sr., Mr. and Mrs. Simon and Rosie Martin Broncho, Mr. and Mrs. Leon (Birdie) Calico.

The family will have a memorial service 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 6, 2009, at Hawker Funeral Home, 132 S. Shilling Ave., Blackfoot, with Father Reggie Nwauzor, Devon Boyer, and Clinton Houtz, conducting. Interment will follow at the Grove City Cemetery.

To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me:
When I am gone release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do. You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears Be happy that we had so many years.

I gave you my love, you can only guess, How much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love you each have shown, But now it's time I traveled on alone.

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must Then let your grief be comforted by trust. It's only for a while that we must part So bless the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away, for life goes on So if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near And if you could listen with your heart, you'll hear All of my love around you, soft and clear.

And then, when you must come this way alone, I'll greet you with a smile, and "welcome home".

To Those I Love ... Wishing you peace and happiness, but above all this I wish you love.

Published in Idaho State Journal on Oct. 2, 2009