Marion Joan Beirne, June 5, 1917-May 29, 2010, long-time resident of San Mateo, CA, died peacefully, in her own home, surrounded by her Children, Grandchildren, and Great-Grandchildren. Marion was born in Brooklyn, New York and was one of 10 children. She was a "second mom" to her younger brothers and sisters whom she nurtured and always included in her activities. After moving to Long Island with her husband, Bill, she worked as a telephone operator at night while raising her four children. In 1958 Marion and Bill moved to San Mateo, California where they continued their enjoyment of family life. Marion loved nature and had a great appreciation for the simple things in life. She and Bill both loved the ocean and were often found at the beach with their children and, later on, with their grandchildren. Befitting her Brooklyn upbringing, Marion maintained a "no nonsense" outlook on life, had a good sense of humor, and had an inner strength admired by all. Sacrifices for her family and friends were always given without a second thought. She attended St. Timothy's Catholic Church in San Mateo, volunteered for the food bank, and helped many people. She was preceded in death by her long-loved husband, "Bill", Eugene William Beirne, and her oldest child "Billy", William Eugene Beirne. She will now join them in heaven. She is survived by her two sisters; Rita Duffy and Jean Beyer, and her brother, Jim Crimmins. She is also survived by her three devoted daughters: Kathleen Hirsch, Patricia Ordonez, and Joan Benjamin, all of the S.F. Bay Area; her loving grandchildren; Christina and Matthew Hirsch; Tiffani, Corey and Heather Ordonez; and Veronica and Ali Benjamin; her adored great grandchildren; Nicole, William, Robert, and Maya Hirsch; and her in-laws Sonny Ordonez, Roy Benjamin and Felicia Hirsch. All are invited to attend a memorial service which will be held on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 @ 11:00AM in the Chapel located at St. Timothy's Church, 1600 Dolan Drive, San Mateo CA 94401. Tea and coffee will follow. An interment is scheduled for October at the San Joaquin National cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, please send a donation, In Loving of Memory of Marion J. Beirne, to The Disabled American Veterans (DAV), P.O.Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301 or donate online at www.dav.org.

Published in San Jose Mercury News/San Mateo County Times on July 18, 2010.