Marilynn E. Opincar

Marilynn Elizabeth (nee Casey) Opincar was born in Loma Linda California on October 26, 1921. Her parents were Ira and Ethel Casey who met and began their lives together in Keene Texas. Ira was the first post-master general for the City of Loma Linda and worked as an accountant at Loma Linda University Medical Center when it was Loma Linda Sanitarium. Ethel taught music at Keene Adventist Elementary School in Texas, Columbia Union College in Takoma Park Maryland and Loma Linda Academy in Loma Linda California for many years.

Raised primarily in Takoma Park Maryland, Marilynn had four brothers; Raymond – a musician/composer/arranger and teacher; James – a fine art and commercial sculptor; Merrill – a retired Coast Guard Master Chief and court reporter and Lamont – a physician and psychiatrist, each of whom preceded her in death.

In 1944, Marilynn married William (Bill) A. Opincar, whom she met at Columbia Union College in Takoma Park. Bill was a minister and Director of Graphic Arts for many years at the Southeastern California Conference offices in La Sierra California. They were married for nearly 60 years until Bill’s passing in 2004. Marilynn and Bill shared a love of music and travel, taking several trips both near and far.

Marilynn worked at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C., Loma Linda Foods in La Sierra California and Loma Linda University Medical Center, Department of Medical Records. She was the Director of Medical Records at LLUMC for many years. Marilynn’s favorite hobbies were sewing and reading. She was devoted to her family and happily assumed the moniker of the family “matriarch” when her mother passed away. She felt fortunate to have four brothers who were her playmates and protectors and they remained very close throughout their lives together. Marilynn was very loyal to her sisters-in-law and felt fortunate to count them as true and beloved friends.

Her most cherished memories were the family gatherings at her mother and father’s home for holidays and special occasions. There was always lots of laughter and reminiscing about the many fun times she and her brothers had as children and new memories were made when her many nieces and nephews joined the Casey clan. She cherished her Irish heritage and one of her biggest regrets was that she did not have the opportunity to visit her ancestral Emerald Isle; experience first-hand the brilliant forty shades of green; listen to the melancholic and haunting music and meet the extraordinary Irish people she was descended from.

Marilynn is survived by her daughter Patricia who is a writer residing in Palm Springs with her partner Nancy Ferguson; nieces Cheryl Casey, Robyn Casey, Debra Casey, Rebecca Brooks, Emily Daniel, Nancy Casey, Mary Jane Garlitz and Nancy Lantz; nephews Ron Kaye, Randy Casey, Sean Casey, Kevin Casey, John and David Opincar; great nieces and nephews, Kimberly Casey, Ryan Casey, Sheila Ebner, Jake and Jim Daniel; sister-in-laws, Annetta Casey, Shirley Casey, Margaret Casey, Nery Casey and Pearl Mack as well as by many precious friends, some of who include Hazel Valentine, Nancy Wheeler, Rita Stiffler, Jeni Spoo, Shari Reile, Marie Davidson and Andrew and Judy Yakush.

The family especially thanks Sharon, Melinda and Olga at Country View Home for the loving care they provided Marilynn at their residential care facility over the past eight months. Their self-less devotion and support of Marilynn and her daughter Patricia made an emotional and very difficult period easier to cope with.

The much-loved matriarch of the family has departed peacefully. May the poem that she asked be included in her service as written in the program demonstrate her affection and generous spirit sustaining each of us as we mourn her passing.