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In memory of
Marvel Frances (Lewis) Ghione
June 11, 1935 - December 12, 2020
Jun 11, 1935 - Dec 12, 2020
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Marvel's obituary
Marvel graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1953 and went on to nursing school, graduating from the California Hospital School of Nursing in 1957. Marvel led an impactful 40-year-long career as a neonatal nurse. She began her nursing career at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, Calif., working in the medical-surgical unit before moving to Kaiser Oakland, where she served in the pediatric department. She returned to Alta Bates to work in the newborn nursery, specifically in the neonatal intensive care unit, and remained there for the rest of her career. Marvel was deeply passionate about working with babies, especially babies born prematurely, and this became her life’s calling. Her care and compassion undoubtedly saved numerous lives.
Additionally, Marvel cared for new mothers and was instrumental in conducting early research on the benefits of breastfeeding, research still widely used in maternal care worldwide. She was one of the first lactation consultants for new moms at Alta Bates Hospital. Her legacy as a career woman has been a lifelong inspiration to her daughters and granddaughters especially.
After retirement, Marvel enjoyed time with her family. She often spoke fondly about her memorable trip to Italy and France with her son and daughter-in-law, Joseph and Cathy, in 2000 where she visited the Vatican during the Jubilee and saw the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris. She relocated from the Bay Area to Gardnerville, Nev., to be closer to her eldest daughter’s family. She loved her life in Nevada and led a busy schedule, active in the Douglas Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), the Douglas County Historical Society, exercise classes at Curves, and her grandson Steven’s school and Boy Scout activities. Paula and Marvel were big fans of going to holiday craft shows and they attended many during the years in Nevada.
Marvel was quite the social butterfly in Gardnerville, meeting numerous friends at her social events, and enjoyed small-town life after many years spent in big cities. She also loved dogs, especially her Boston Terriers Mickey and Hannah and her little rescue, Sammy. Marvel moved back to the Bay Area in 2017 to be under the care of her granddaughter, Jessica, and to be with her daughter Nancy’s family. Rodney and Michael watched out for Marvel and Marvel would joke that “they are very protective of me,” — they were! Marvel took a trip to Southern California with Nancy and she absolutely loved it, visiting places from her childhood.
In addition to being very active in so many organizations, Marvel was an avid Lucille Ball fan. Marvel, Paula, and Ashley attended a Lucy Convention in Los Angeles years ago and it was a trip they often reminisced about. Marvel also was a devoted S.F. 49er fan and attended many games at Candlestick Park. Marvel was an excellent cook and baker — something she passed on to her beloved daughter, Nancy. Marvel always kept a beautiful garden wherever she lived and Joe would often say, “Wherever Mom lived, it was home.”
Marvel is remembered as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Marvel’s life, work, and memory will be forever cherished by her children and their spouses: Paula (Ghione) and Glenn Lucas of Rancho Cordova, Calif.; Nancy (Ghione) and Rodney West of Richmond, Calif.; and Joseph and Cathy Ghione of Pacifica, Calif. She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren, especially Jessica Leon, Nancy’s daughter, who, alongside her husband Julio, served selflessly as Marvel’s caretakers; Christopher and Michael West, Nancy’s sons; Ashley Warren and Steven Ghione, Paula’s children; and Matthew Ghione, Joseph’s son. Marvel was also delighted to meet her first great-grandchild, Christopher Raul, Christopher’s son with his partner, Julie. Marvel will be lovingly remembered by her many close friends and missed by her dog, Sammy, who fits in perfectly with Jessica’s beloved brood.
The family would like to thank Hospice of Calaveras County for the wonderful support in caring for Marvel. Joe and Paula also would like to say thank you and to share their extreme gratitude to Nancy and Jessica for providing Mom such a safe and happy home to spend her final few years. They are forever grateful.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be appreciative of any donations made in Marvel’s name to the Douglas Animal Welfare Group or to Alta Bates Hospital. Marvel’s imprint on the world was to “love and to love unconditionally.” This is the gift that she passed on to her children, grandchildren, and for many generations to come.
There will be a private family burial and we hope to have a Celebration of Life when it is safe to do so, post-COVID.
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Created with love by
Paula Lucas (Marvel's daughter).
