Marian Card Trotta

Marian Card Trotta, 97, died peacefully December 2, 2023. Born in Riverside California to Thomas Adam Card, M.D., and Anita Allene Mosher Card, the youngest of three children. Raised in Riverside, graduated Riverside Polytechnic High School, 1944, BA. University of Washington. Predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years Paul Heath Trotta M.D., her parents, her siblings Lenette Rhea and Richard Card, and two nephews. She is survived by her daughters Victoria, Suzanne, and Sarah (Jed Baker), and five nieces and nephews.

Mom studied sociology (at that time an avant-garde major) in college and afterwards she became a nursery school teacher, first in Riverside with Mrs. Wade, and then in San Francisco during Dad’s medical training. After her teaching career, she dedicated herself to her home and her family. She loved children and knew how to support their development and growth. She had a wry sense of humor that could keep things from getting too serious. She loved dogs, music, and reading multiple newspapers and magazines. She adored the out of doors, particularly camping, hiking, and gardening. She loved to travel because it gave her a chance to study the destination and its history, but she was happiest at home, around her family. On the home front she was the co-architect (with Dad) of countless family vacations that were each one a special adventure. From cross country skiing, backpacking, canoeing, mountaineering, fly fishing, to visiting the national parks of the West, she exposed us to many different experiences. With innumerable stories and memories of her life spent in Riverside shared throughout our own lives, our historian mother imparted a sense of place in her children that has proved unshakable and has enriched our lives in a special way. She taught us many lessons and instilled many values by example, including self-sufficiency through education, love of reading, kindness, and empathy for those around us.

Although devoted to her husband and her children, she reserved her own independence and space to pursue her own interests. Mom was intelligent, energetic, curious, and a devoted lifelong learner. She deployed her finely honed organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail to all her activities, from celebration planning to creative cooking and baking. With her artist’s eye, she created a beautiful home and garden, with a particular interest in native American arts and crafts. She was a self-taught weaver and enjoyed her community of weavers, attending many conferences and demonstrating her craft. Hers was a life well-lived. She was the heart of our family, and we were fortunate to have had her for as long as we did. We mourn her loss, but she will stay in our hearts forever.

Services will be held on Friday, January 12. Interment at Riverside National Cemetery will be held 11:45 a.m. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church. 4496 Magnolia Avenue. Free parking.