Marion Ann Harlow

" a capable, lovely lady." who was the glue that held the family together,

Her wisdom and love to her family and others made her life shine.

A long-time resident of our area, Marion Banks was born in Lawrence, Kansas, in 1929; however, shortly after her first birthday, her parents moved to California where they settled in Altadena.

Her father was the area's first locksmith and her mother the first commercial dressmaker. At 16, she got her first job- at Sears where she continued to work while attending Pasadena City College.

She majored in art, with a minor in business.

In 1949 she married Ray Harlow and the young couple moved to Duarte where Marion, as most women did in those days, became a homemaker.

There, right next door, lived Marie Summers, and the two became friends. This close relastionship has continued through the next generation with their daughters.

In 1968 she went back to work at Sears. She held a number of interesting positions, including working in the forgery department and as a statistician, until she retired in 1993.

Ten years ago her husband Ray died. She has two grandchildren.

Marie Summers introduced her to the Dionysians in 1998. Although in her typical modest manner she says she isn't sure she belongs among all the talented members, she has, since becoming treasurer in 2002, become an essential person to the Club.

Fortunately for us, the club's bylaws were changed so that she can continue to serve beyond the two-year limit for officers.

That's how much her fellow members respect and treasure her abilities.

And they aren't limited to just that one area. She has always loved to write.

Recently, she completed a memoir of her life in Altadena for her grandchildren.

After seeing this manuscript, Michelle Zack of the Altadena Historical Society asked for a copy to be placed in the Society's archives.