Marilyn Boyd 1938-2022

 

Marilyn Boyd Oliva
June 16, 1938 - April 17, 2022

Rock Hill, South Carolina
Marilyn Boyd Howe Oliva 83 of York, South Carolina, formerly of Prescott, Arizona, passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday April 17th, 2022, surrounded by her loving children, Thorndike Howe, and Phyllis Chaney, after a long hard-fought battle with Dementia.
Marilyn was born on June 16, 1938, to Walter Earnest Boyd and Virginia Eagle in Houston, Texas. Her maternal grandfather, the Honorable Joe Henry Eagle, was a congressman representing the Houston area for a total of 12 years during the period before and after Woodrow Wilson's Presidency. Her paternal grandfather, Ewing Boyd, was a Judge in Harris County for a period of 44 years. Her father Walter Ernest Boyd, after returning from the Pacific Area in World War 2, served as City Attorney in the Administration of Mayor Oscar Holcomb, and practiced Criminal Law in Houston until his early death in 1964 from Encephalitis.
She married Johnny Dearborn in 1960 and had her first-born son Langdon Dearborn. Johnny passed away in 1961 at a very early age from cancer. She then married Thorndike Dudley Howe III and had her 2nd and 3rd child, Thorndike Dudley Howe IV, and Phyllis Hayden Howe. They divorced in the late 1970's.
She is preceded in death by her 3rd husband Ralph Paul Oliva, son Langdon Dearborn and grandson Cory Justus Chaney. She is survived by son Thorndike Dudley Howe IV and wife Sylvia, her daughter Phyllis Hayden Chaney and husband Mark of Brookshire Texas. Siblings Walter Boyd (Virginia), Joe Boyd (Karen) and Ginger Richardson (Mark) as well as 5 grandchildren Christopher Mark and Rebecca Hayden Chaney, Bryan and Jessica Pender, and Thorndike Dudley Howe V. Stepdaughters, Christina Oliva of Los Angeles California, Theresa Mann of Lehighton, Pennsylvania; stepson, Mike Oliva, and wife Teresita; step grandchildren Katie, and Mike Oliva.
In Marilyn's early years, she was an avid tennis player and was happiest when she was on the tennis courts with many of her good friends in the Texas Hill Country. She was known for her infectious laugh, and always having a good time with friends and family. Anyone who knew Marilyn was touched by her kindness, humor, generosity, and positive outlook on life. She was truly a people person, and if you were lucky enough to know her, she probably changed your life to the better.
Marilyn moved to Prescott Arizona around 1989 where she met and married Ralph Oliva. They enjoyed camping and mining in the great open spaces of the desert and relished the views from their quaint mountain home. She soon became the Director and part owner of Pia's Place, a women's rehabilitation facility, where she changed the lives of so many. She was passionate and caring with her clients and made many lifelong friends along the way. Marilyn kept many friendships close to her heart for over 70 years.
A Celebration and Memorial was held on her birthdate, June 16, 2022, at Ninfa's Mexican Restaurant in Houston Texas which was one of her favorite places to dine and enjoy the company of her many friends. Marilyn was interned at Forest Park Lawndale 6900 Lawndale ST, Houston, TX 77023 beside her son Langdon Dearborn and husband Johnny Dearborn. Donations can be made in Marilyn's name to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.