Louise Smith Marvin

Louise Smith Marvin, age 89, of Topeka, KS passed away on January 20, 2021 at McCrite Plaza Retirement Center, in Topeka, KS.  She was born on December 8, 1931, in Fort Worth, TX, the daughter of Rev. Kenneth L. Smith and Ann Pilcher Smith.  She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class at Hammond High School in Hammond, LA, when she was 16 years old.  She attended Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX, and the University of Manchester, Manchester, England.

Louise married Robert S. O'Brien in March 1951, in Warrington, England, her daughter, Susan, being born of this marriage.  She married Edward A. (Ted) Marvin in Riverside, California on October 3, 1964.  He adopted Susan as his child following the marriage.

Louise worked at Barksdale Air Force Base, LA, March Air Force Base, CA and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Topeka where she worked from 1970 to 1984.  She was self-employed as a questioned document examiner from 1984 to 1993, testifying as an expert witness in court.  She was a member of the World Association of Document Examiners and the Independent Association of Questioned Document Examiners.  She taught continuing education classes in handwriting analysis at Washburn University, Topeka High School and the YWCA.  She was a former member of both the American Society for Industrial Security, serving as Chairman of the Topeka Chapter in 1997 and the Sales and Marketing Executives of Topeka.

She was active in St. David's Episcopal Church, serving as the coordinator of the parish prayer list for over 20 years and she was an active member of the Daughters of the King serving as study guide mentor for new members.  She was a member of the St. David's Relay for Life team for 12 years, serving as Team Captain twice.  She was a charter member of the Thursday Club which was established in Collins Park in 1965 and continues to this day!  She was a member of a Centering Prayer Group.

She was an avid reader, and loved crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She and Ted enjoyed cribbage and gin rummy games every night. Mahjongg was a game learned later and much enjoyed. She and Ted were active members of a movie discussion group which began meeting in 1990 and continues to meet now.

Louise and Ted greatly enjoyed traveling throughout their 56 years of marriage. First camping in a tent and later in a motorhome. They visited all 50 states and many national parks. Later on, they continued their adventures on Amtrak, the southwest and Pacific coast being their favorite destinations. Louise seemed to have an eye that looked for and found basic goodness in each person she met. She also had the ability to look at a difficult situation and see it in a more positive, hopeful light. These qualities enhanced her ability to form lasting friendships through the years, leading to much joy and happiness.She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by daughters Susan Marvin Mabry (Dan Jacob), Topeka, KS; Denise (Chris) Marvin Dennehy, Beacon, NY; and Kimberley Marvin Linthicum, Delray Beach, FL; grandchildren Andrea (Scott) Odendahl, Bentley, KS, Christine (Travis) Cottrell, Derby, KS, Douglas (Amanda) Mabry, Sedgwick, KS, Ben (Ashley) Mabry, Newton, KS, Zack (Brandy) Mabry, Halstead, KS, Josh (Chelsea) Mabry, Columbus, OH, Rhyan (TJ) Dildine, Delray Beach, FL, Emma and Sam Dennehy, Beacon, NY; great-grandchildren Braeden, Bryant, and Brock Odendahl, Mabry and Royce Trowbridge, Cole, Kendall, and Bennett Cottrell, Gracie, Liam, Adler, Isabell, James, Maggie, Addison, Rhilynn, Gabby, Tori, Ezekiel, and Vivian Mabry, Flossy and Foxworth Dildine; as well as other family members, including very special nieces and nephews and brother-in law, Ray Kalar, Ft. Walton Beach, FL.

She was predeceased by her husband, Ted Marvin; her parents; sister Sally Kalar, Fort Walton Beach, FL; brother Kenneth M. Smith, Santa Maria, CA; and nephew, David Hall, Denver, CO.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to McCrite Plaza and to Midland Care Hospice, especially their nursing staff, for the competent, loving care that Louise received.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. David's Episcopal Church, 3916 SW 17th Street, Topeka, KS 66604, or Midland Care Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606.

A celebration of his life will be held at St. David's Episcopal Church, Topeka, Kansas, at a later date, to be announced.