Ida "Marie" Dooley Cody

Marie Cody celebrated her 98th birthday in August of 2011. In her near century of life, she has witnessed many changes in the world around her. Realizing the transitions of: horses to cars; lanterns to light bulbs; iceboxes to refrigerators; phonographs to CDs. Her life story is full of history. When she was born, women did not have the right to vote and man had not yet reached the moon.

Marie was born in Crescent, Oklahoma as Ida Marie Dooley to the pioneer parents Ray and Minnie Dooley in 1913. She was the first of six children. Five boys were to follow: William, Lee, Orie, Glen and Robert. In 1922 the Dooley family moved to California settling in the Laguna area of Fresno County. As a senior at Laton High School she meets a Hanford High School man who became the love of her life. She married Evon G. Cody in 1935. Together they made their home in the Kings River area at the Dover Avenue ranch. They raised two children and harvested many apricots, walnuts, cotton and alfalfa. After living at the ranch for 48 years they moved to north Hanford.

Marie always put others first in her role as a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother or great-grandmother. As a wife she stood by her husband’s side in his 28 years as a Kings County Supervisor. Her focus in life was the care and support of family and those near and dear to her. She was artistic and creative with flower arrangements, pottery projects, and welding. Marie had a picturesque garden at the ranch with a colorful variety of flowers and trees. She labored long and hard to acquire her desired effect. She was always very faithful to her church and she often played for services on the piano, organ or accordion. She was very good at memorizing Bible verses that she would recall to give her strength in trying times. She had a firm idea of who she was and what she stood for. She enjoyed many years of study and growth with the Nineteenth Century Round Table. She was also active with both the “Birds of a Feather” and the Kings County Historical Society.

Marie Cody was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years in 1997. The Cody’s are survived by two children Carol Maguire and her husband Michael of Mill Valley and Robin Cody and his wife Georgia of Concord. She was loved by three grandchildren: Kristen Hulett and her husband Christopher of Scottsdale, Arizona, Rob Maguire and his wife Kristin of Sausalito, and John Trujillo and his wife Bond of Tracy. She was cherished by five great-grandchildren: William and Bryce Hulett, Michael David Maguire, and Cruz and Yesinia Trujillo. Many nieces and nephews plus friends from around the country know her as a very special, giving and loving friend.

In lieu of flowers the family welcomes donations in Marie’s honor to: Chardells Assisted Living, 11517 15th Avenue, Lemoore, CA 93245.

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, 1pm, January 14, 2012, at People’s Funeral Chapel, 501 North Douty, Hanford, CA 93230.