I have this opportunity to tell a little about my mother. I know all of us in the family loved to soak in the warmth and knowledge she had to share . I have come to learn even more about this wonderful person recently through conversations and reading mom’s history. "The Life and Times of Yvonne Kay Marshall". My sister Angela put this together from conversations she had taped with mom. She typed this for all of us, thank you Angela.
She was born, a very cute happy little baby, in Oakland, California in the spring of May 1, 1931. Times were hard back then and her parents were struggling. Both her grandparents had died when she was a baby and her parents needed a little help. So she lived with relatives quite a bit. And then also for a time at the Catholic Convent in San Francisco. With all this she had a fascinating childhood, having a variety of families and different places to stay. She had interesting experiences, some good, some challenging. She got through High School very well and was accepted to San Jose State University. However,She had a strong desire to be a nurse and found nursing programs were offered through different Hospitals. Franklin Hospital in San Francisco seemed to be the right one. It offered a three year live in nursing program that worked out perfect for mom. This program was offered through San Francisco University. For the first four months she was able to go home to Menlo Park on the Week ends. And this led her to her future husband B.Vaughn Marshall, YEAHHH.
From The Life and Times of Yvonne Kay Marshall
“I did go into training and I remember the first day I stood in the lobby waiting for the head nurse to interview me and show me my room. I remember thinking, this is where I belong. It wasn’t that I loved the place, I didn’t. It was a very strange place to be. But I knew I’d made the right decision, and I knew that’s where I was supposed to be at that time. I was there from September until Christmas and that’s when I met dad, at Christmas time.”
Working
Mom graduated August 1952 after she passed her ‘Boards” she was officially a licensed Registered Nurse. She started working as a surgical scrub nurse at Franklin Hospital in San Francisco. In the early years of marriage, due to changes with moving and working in between children on the way, mom worked in a couple more hospitals, Palo Alto Hospital, Stanford Hospital and Elcomino Hospital. And different areas within each one, from scrub nurse to pediatrics. But after the third child, the actual need was for taking care of their new and increasing family of six children. Work was needed again soon enough, however, when the youngest ones were about 10 years old. Mom then went to work for yet a different Hospital, the V.A. Hospital for nine years.
During this time she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The effects of this kept Mom down and out at home for three months, and keeping mom down for any length of time takes a lot. It was a very eventful year, but of course she quietly got through it as best she could with each major event. Including the birth of her grandchild,death of her mother and marriage of a daughter. All in 1981.
Talents and Hobbies
Ever since she can remember, she has loved to color and draw. Her first official art class was in Junior High School, she took to it naturally and created some beautiful paintings througout the years. After moving to Arlington Washington she volunteered to do the bookkeeping for the Marysville Art Guild for a couple years which brought her back into the limelight of enjoying one of her hobbies even more. She has painted beautiful pictures for each of her children, and has sold some of her masterpieces upon request. Here you can see some of mom's beautiful paintings.
Mom's Paintings
Music
Another hobby or enjoyment would have to be playing the Piano. She started this when she was about fourteen, in seventh grade. She was able to take lessons and practice on her Aunt Dot’s piano at the time. Later she was able to continue playing on her parents piano, which she enjoyed very much. Grandpa John gave mom his piano after she was married, then bought himself the organ. She loves the classical melodies of Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Mozart, Tchaikovsky. She has also taught her children and now some of her grandchildren.
Genealogy
Mom has had a great interest in genealogy. Which is what this website is all about. She has been doing quite a bit of research in many ways, including utilizing the internet information that is at our fingertips. Helping others that are interested in genealogy, how to go about researching their families. Besides interesting, it can be enjoyable, and fun to find out about past histories. Like Piecing a giant puzzle together. It is hoped that information will continue to be shared and expanded upon in this area with our family is her wish. So our family puzzle will continue to grow, as pieces are put where they go. Mom of course has all information regarding the Marshall line that was done by Dad, and feels all this is of great importance to those who want to know.
More
Mom has, in the past, knitted, crocheted and sewed many things. Making everything from prom dresses to wonderful decorations. She had a knack for making things look beautiful with her finishing touches. And I’ve learned, and appreciate very much, that when she puts her mind to doing something, she simply does it. Because Yvonne Kay Marshall is a doer, not just a dreamer. She gently and sweetly finds a way to get the job done when needed. That’s my wonderful mom.
A SPECIAL FAMILY STORY
One of the places mom stayed when she was young, was with the Cauble Family. This is the story of Bernard Cauble that was always very special to mom. She felt it was important to write this story, it turned out she finished about three weeks before she passed away. She gave it to me on April 5, 2006 and requested to please put on our website for those interested to read.
Bernard Cauble - A Special Family Story
