Marie Jeanne MacPherson

Marie-Jeanne "Marie" Rhead MacPherson CARLSBAD -- Marie-Jeanne Rhead MacPherson (nee Muller), "Marie," beloved sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on April 17, 2012. She was born on July 4, 1924 in Roubaix, France to Madeleine and Jean Muller. Marie married Wallace Rhead, an American soldier, at the end of WWII and came to live in Carlsbad in 1954. They had four sons together and separated in 1960. Marie married Roger MacPherson in 1961 and added another son and daughter to the family. Though separated by thousands of miles, Marie remained very close with her siblings, Bernard Muller, Therese Garandet, Annette Micolier, Colette Muller, Paul Muller, Francois Muller, and her father and stepmother who remained in France. Marie was very well known and loved in the Carlsbad community due to her 25 years of loyal service at the original Twin Inns. She worked for another 20 years as the head hostess of the Olympic Resort Hotel, and only retired at age 79. Marie was happiest when she was taking care of others. Throughout her life, she aided anyone she met who was in need of a meal, a bed , emotional support, a place to learn English, a ride, or a loan. She was a second mother to many, hosting more than 40 French nieces, nephews, assorted adolescents and young friends in her home. She gave regularly to charity, forgoing her own luxuries in order to help others. In her 60s and 70s, she and Roger were Meals On Wheels volunteers, and she spent the last two years of her life taking care of other less mobile residents of the nursing home where she lived. Marie was preceded in death by her loyal husband of 48 years, Roger; her parents; and older brother, Claude Muller. She is survived by her six children: sons, William Rhead and wife Pamela, Claude Rhead and wife Kathy, Donald Rhead, Edward Rhead, James MacPherson and wife Elizabeth Ann, and daughter, Colette Farnes and husband Ryan. She has 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, April 30, 2012 at Eternal Hills Memorial Park Chapel in Oceanside. Though she has left us for now, she has left us all better people through her example and offering of love, nurture, hard work, and service. She will be missed by many but will always be remembered and honored with love and joy and our thankful hearts.