Marjorie Gribben passes away

DOWNEY - Longtime Downey resident and community volunteer Marjorie A. Gribben passed away on April 20 following a long illness.Gribben was born in a small mining town in Ontario, Canada on Oct. 23, 1913. In her early 20's she married an American, Hugh Gribben, and later became an American citizen. The couple settled in Downey in 1949. Together they raised nine children, all graduating from Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. The couple was married more than 41 years until Hugh's death in the 1970's. Marjorie Gribben was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church for more than 61 years. She was chairwoman of the Elizabeth Ann Seton Mission circle for 19 years, which raised money in support of Catholic priest missions in China. She was also a volunteer with the Downey Civic Light Opera for 20 years. The California State Assembly previously honored Gribben for her charitable and civic work by citing her as a Woman of the Year. She was preceded in death by her husband; daughters Julia Smith and Alice Watson; and granddaughter Kimberly Smith. She is survived by seven of her children, Hugh Gribben of Maryland; Ralph Gribben of Las Vegas; Marjorie Gribben of New York; Ramona McMabb of Idyllwild; Walter Gribben of Irvine and June Hamblin of Felton, Calif.; 26 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in Gribben's name to the Sisters of Notre Dame Convent and Retirement Home in Thousands Oaks. Services will be held at 10 a.m. today at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights.

********** Published: April 30, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 2