

Horses ... it was a love affair right from the start. From the very first horse she had when she was a young girl in Kerman, a beautiful bay named Lady, to Proclamation, or Pro, one of the last horses she bought and loved, Marie stayed knee-deep in hay, grain, mares, and manure. Because she was unable to have horses while working and raising a family in town, she always hoped that some day she would have an opportunity to own another horse.
When Marie's daughters were in high school, they and Marie got jobs at the Pilobos cantaloupe packing house, the Koligian fruit packing house, and the Martin Farms tomato-picking operation to earn enough money to buy a horse and keep it at the rental house on Vineland, also known as The Little House on the Prairie. Marie went out there for days to patch-up the lean-to, shed, and corrals, and then, oh, the joy and excitement when she brought home a gentle, sorrel mare named Rosie. She raised a few foals, and that was so much fun, she started upgrading her horses, which led to one of her favorite mares, Gypsy, a spirited beauty, so she could go to horse shows and other events, keeping in mind, that some day, she would start a horse business of her own. Marie was in her element when she hooked up the trailer and went to playdays, parades, horse shows, and trail rides, but problems with her knee forced her to stop riding. Undeterred, she hauled the horses to all the fun events instead, and helped with planning, preparation, and presentation. In 1976, Marie even took part in a Bicentennial Pony Express ride from Salt Lake City to Old Sacramento where a statue commemorates the event to this day.
Marie was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Kerman, CA, and worked many Alter Society Dinners and Events. Her parents, Felix and Margaret Radavero, donated the property on which the original St. Patrick's was built.
With the kids grown up and gone, Marie, with her sister, Virginia, decided that living in the country would be more conducive to the caring and raising of her beloved horses, so following a move in 1983 to a smaller place on Shields in Fresno, she packed up everything and moved to a 5-acre property in Clovis with pastures, a barn, an arena, and plenty of room for her growing business of raising Arabian horses. Marie even did all the medical care for the horses herself, including shots and first-aid. Marie and Gin got to know lots of wonderful people in the horse business and they were members in many clubs and organizations, such as Tri-Riders of Fresno, Central California Arabian Horse Association, and the International Arabian Horse Association. Marie and Gin shared the horse business they loved and were sisters and best friends for life.
Of course, in addition to the horses, there were chickens, dogs, cats, a few gigantic snakes in the wood pile, and Marie's beloved doves in the dove cote, that always had too many birds in it, but she wouldn't part with any of them. Marie loved for her grandkids to visit, as there was always lots to see and do, play with, or repair at Grandma's farm. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren.
Most people don't know how talented Marie was. She played the accordion as a young girl, and still has her fancy, lacquer-black instrument, with her name on it in rhinestones. She could play the piano by ear just by listening to a song on the radio. She'd work out the notes and chords and in just a few minutes had the song down and was singing it. .. amazing. She had a beautiful voice and typed-up songbooks for all her favorites. Her sons inherited all her musical gifts, and are very talented in their own ways.
Over the years she wrote lots of poetry and two full-length novels. She submitted one to a publisher, but after just one rejection letter, it ended up in a box under her bed. She once wrote a poem for one of Ronnie's high school assignments, and Mrs. Lutz, his teacher, told him, "You didn't write this poem, I saw it in, "Field and Stream," but no, it came from the creative mind of Marie.
She loved to draw and paint as well, and entered many "Marie masterpieces" in the Fresno Fair. She could sew anything and made all of her daughters' dresses for elementary school. She sewed beautiful Barbie clothes, especially bridal gowns, and gave many of them away to lucky little girls.
Marie was a prolific reader with never-ending stacks of books on her chair-side table-at least 10 or 12 at a time. She was always searching for "funny money" as she called it and was delighted to find rare or unusual coins. She was a great cook and made delicious, spaghetti sauce, just like her mother's. She was a ravioli-making pro and every year, with Gin, directed the family to make it from scratch, with Grandma's recipe, using all her mother's old rolling pins, dough cutters, and huge, copper ladle, all stored in Uncle Tony's military, duffle bag. The grandkids even got involved with the process to carry on the ravioli tradition, which continues to this day, in Janet's kitchen. Marie enjoyed putting up lots of fruits and vegetables and canned the best dill pickles ever made.
Marie had a few jobs throughout the years in Kerman:
*Secretary for Kerman Elementary (before it was Kerman-Floyd)
*Kerman City Clerk {she was working the day the two UFO's were sighted over Kerman and saw the red, burned arms of the officer on scene.)
*Kerman-Floyd Teacher's Aide/First Grade
*Secretary for J. O. Jones, M. D.
*Secretary for JH Boyd and Son, Realtor and
*Secretary for lawyer, David O'Mafley
Our mother was quite a woman. She was a hard worker and a fast learner. If she could do something herself she did it. Good or bad, she made her own decisions and did What she wanted all her life-and it was a good life-she did it her way- surrounded by her farm and her family.
We would say "Rest in Peace," Marie, but we know you will be riding your beloved mare, Gypsy, over hills and valleys, with the wind in your hair, across endless, heavenly horizons. Happy trails, Meem - we love you.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Felix and Margaret Radavero, her brother, Tony Radavero, and her sister, Virginia Radavero.
She is survived by her four children: Nancy, Ron, Janet, and Jeff; five grandchildren: Christopher, Michael, Jonathan, Jackson, and Maxwell, and two great-grandchildren: Jasper and Aubrey.
In lieu of flowers,· donations can be made to ASPCA or a favorite charity.
Marie's family would like to offer a sincere note of thanks and appreciation to her caregivers for all their kindness and support: Selina Mendoza, Christina Casas, and the Maple Tree Care Home of Fresno.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.stephensandbean.com for the Delarm family.
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