Marylyn Rafferty Givens passed away at home on June 12th, 2024 meaning heaven took back their Angel.
Marylyn was born in Saint Paul Minnesota on December 10th, 1936 to Harold and Martha Rafferty and lived there until she met the love of Her life, Thomas, on July 9, 1960. Their connection and love were so strong that Marylyn knew it was divine intervention. They married less than a year later, on June 24, 1961 and remained married for 46 years until Tom’s passing in November of 2007. This happy union created two beautiful children, Thomas Jr. and Debra Marie. Together they shared a life of love, laughter and adventure that was filled with enough memories to last 10 lifetimes.
They moved to Ventura in November of 1976 and purchased their first home that would become the epicenter for family and friends alike to gather and where all who came would feel Marylyn’s natural gift to not only make you feel welcomed, and wanted but also loved in the way she was taught by her Faith. And Home is most definitely where Marylyn longed to be.
Marylyn’s love for and ease of conversation led her to a wonderful career as a switchboard operator beginning at Shell Oil in Saint Paul MN and transitioning to Administrative Assistant at IBM once they arrived in Ventura. Up until her retirement in 2002 she ran the front desk at IBM and later at MicroAge as she did her life; with compassion, organization and a smile. She was the first face that greeted you as you walked in the Office and the one you wanted to stay and talk to. She accepted everyone with an open heart, open arms, and a perpetual smile. She had an immense passion for her work as well as her community, which accounts for the numerous people who call her friend, co-worker and mentor. But her favorite role was that of Wife, Mother and Grandmother.
We will wake up and be grateful for another day to go out and make a difference in someone's life, just like you did in ours. We will reflect on all the good in the world and how you made our world so much fuller. With every breath we take, every smell we experience, every taste of life we get, we will celebrate that we are all better people because we knew you. And the beautiful part is, we knew it while you were still here. As we go forth, we will strive to live our lives everyday as she did with gentle compassion, unwavering kindness, unshakeable faith, and beautiful smiles. May her positive impact on the world continue to grow and live on through each life that she touched over her beautiful 87 years here with us.
Marylyn is survived by her Children, Thomas Givens Jr. and his Wife Deby, Grandchildren Tommy, Michael and Samantha and her Daughter Debra Erickson, her Husband Troy and their children Peyton and Logan as well as numerous Nieces, Nephews and many dear friends and admirers who will forever remember and miss her.
Her Mother, Father, Brother Bud, Sisters Phyllis and May, preceded her in Death.
Family and friends are invited to a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 10 a.m. with a Most Holy Rosary to be recited at 9:30am Tuesday June 25th, 2024 at Sacred Heart Church, 10800 Henderson Road, Ventura CA 93004, followed by Graveside Services at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Rd, Ventura CA 93003. Donations in Marylyn's name may be made to Sacred Heart Church, 10800 Henderson Road, Ventura CA 93004
Arrangements are under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.