Marilee Heaston (Alcorn)

May 1947 ~ March 2020

Marilee was born in Modesto, CA to William T. and Geneva Alcorn and graduated from Downey H.S. in 1965. Marilee was wed to Gary Heaston on June 8^th, 1968. They lived in Chandler, AZ, Stockton, Modesto, Fresno, Hilmar and finally settled for good in Turlock in 1979, where they raised two sons, Kenneth W. and Matthew T. Heaston.

Marilee spent several years as an admitting clerk in the emergency department of Emanuel Hospital and later did billing and transcription work for Dr. Glenn James’ office. She eventually left the medical field and became the office manager for Olander and Williams Roofing Co., our family business, for twenty years. She also taught quilting classes at MJC for 15 plus years in the adult education program. She had recently been teaching quilting classes at Figamarole in Ceres, Ca and many of her previous students followed her, taking classes wherever she taught.

In high school, Marilee was active in The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and eventually served as Worthy Advisor of her local chapter. Marilee also earned her 25 year pin from the Order of the Eastern Star. Later in life she served as Secretary for the Modesto Airport Pilots Assn., President of the Peachy Sams RV club, VP and President of Country Crossroads Quilters and one of four founding members, as well as past President and VP of Turlock Quilt Guild. She served as chairperson of several quilt shows in the area. She was active in Daughters of the American Revolution and was a past Regent and current chaplain of her local chapter until her passing. Marilee was very involved with Quilts of Honor, making and presenting quilts to our nations veterans. She enjoyed the fellowship and friendship of all the organizations she joined and developed hundreds of very close friends.

Marilee loved to travel; Cruises to Hawaii, Alaska, several cruises to most of the Caribbean Islands, So. America and three trips to both coasts of Mexico. She also enjoyed the road trips that took the family to many of the Western states and Canada as well as the trips she took to Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C.

She is survived by her best friend, soulmate, and husband of 51 years, Gary, her two sons Ken and Matt (Meghan), her grandson Chance, her brother Doug Alcorn (Diane) and her sister in law Shari Mattos (Ted Alcorn). Being surrounded by boys for so many years, she had a very special mother – daughter bond with her daughter-in-law Meghan (married to Matt). Marilee made friends everywhere she went and was “Mom” to many of her son’s friends and was “Momma” to several of her grandson’s friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Geneva Alcorn and her brother Ted Alcorn.

Marilee is loved so much by her family and friends. A wonderful, kind and friendly lady that will be greatly missed by all those that had the pleasure of knowing her.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Marilee’s family asks that donations be made to Covenant Care Hospice of Turlock or other hospice organizations of choice.

Services will be held at Allen Mortuary in Turlock, CA on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at 1 pm.

Condolences(8)

Dick Swan says
April 5, 2020 at 7:30 pm

Marilee will long be remembered for her ever present smile and her warm and genuine laugh. I will miss running into her at the grocery store.
Susan Stafford says
March 26, 2020 at 3:30 am

It has taken me awhile to write something regarding Marilee. Our mothers were best friends and we lived next door to each other for many years before the Alcorns moved. Marilee was a friend for over 70 years. We journeyed through elementary, junior high and high school together. Marilee was a week younger than me and she never let me forget that! I will remember her fondly with lots of love and laughter.
Marta Kyte says
March 16, 2020 at 8:51 am

I was so sad and sorry to learn tonight about Marilee’s passing. We first met when Chance attended Earl School. I was the principal and came to truly appreciate her love for him and family.
We all knew she taught quilting but I had no idea how talented and artistic she truly was. When I joined the Turlock Guild, she was one of the first to greet me and made all of us feel welcomed. She was a font of information, the master historian of the Guild as she had been a founding member. I admired her devotion to and love of the military along with her quilting and advocacy for Quilts of Honor. She was so passionate about Daughters of the American Revolution and helped the VFW.
Marilee was a loyal, devoted family member that loved Gary and each of them so much. She was one of a kind and will be so deeply missed.
Marta Kyte says
March 16, 2020 at 8:49 am

I was so sad and sorry to learn tonight about Marilee’s passing. We first met when Chance attended Earl School. I was the principal for the time he attended and came to truly appreciate her love for her grandson and family.
We all knew she taught quilting but I had no idea how talented and artistic she truly was. When I joined the Turlock Guild, she was one of the first to greet me and made all of us feel welcomed. She was a font of information, the master historian of the Guild as she had been a founding member. I admired her devotion to and love of the military along with her quilting and advocacy for Quilts of Honor. She was so passionate about Daughters of the American Revolution and helped the VFW.
Marilee was a loyal, devoted family member that loved Gary and each of them so much. She was one of a kind and will be so deeply missed.
Marta Kyte says
March 16, 2020 at 8:46 am

I was so sad and sorry to learn tonight about Marilee’s passing. We first met when Chance attended Earl School. I was the principal for the time he attended and came to truly appreciate her love for her grandson and her family.
We all knew she taught quilting but I had no idea how talented and artistic she truly was. When I joined the Turlock Guild, she was one of the first to greet me and made all of us feel welcomed. She was a font of information, the master historian of the Guild as she had been a founding member. I admired her devotion to and love of the military along with her quilting and advocacy for Quilts of Honor. She was so passionate about Daughters of the American Revolution and helped the VFW.
Marilee was a loyal, devoted family member that loved Gary and each of them so much. She was one of a kind and will be so deeply missed.
Dixie Olson says
March 13, 2020 at 6:50 am

Sorry for the loss, sending thoughts and prayers to family and friends, May God give comfort to all
Bobbie Swanson Hilligoss says
March 13, 2020 at 6:22 am

Dear Gary, Ken, Matt, Meghan & Chance,
My heart is broken as I know yours are too. It is so very hard to process. My thoughts, prayers and much love to you all.
Marilee Bertha & Roberta Pearl teased each other about our middle names but it was an horror to have our Grandmother Alcorns name. “Bertha Pearl.” We were born 3 months apart. I was born March 2nd and Marilee was born May 31st. She always laughed and told me I was so much older than she wasâ£ï¸Through out our lives we always found something to laugh about. One very special thing was Marilee went to Downey High and I went to Turlock High. We never stopped giving each other a bad time about that. We took turns having sleep overs. I’d stay in “The City of Modesto” and Marilee came out to the dairy farm to stay with me. The farm was a lot of fun. Marilee didn’t like raw milk so she asked Aunt Betty if she could have milk from the store. My Mom went and got her “Real Milk”! There are so many memories it would be a book by the time I finished. We will all miss Marilee so much. Her smile, laugh and sense of humor will always bring a smile to my face. Marilee, I love and will miss you always until me meet again.
Carolynn Yordy (Dunlop) says
March 11, 2020 at 10:01 pm

You will be missed by all your friends. You made a impression on all your classmates also. RIP

Marilee Heaston (Alcorn) May 31, 1947 - March 5, 2020

Condolences(8)

Dick Swan says

Susan Stafford says

Marta Kyte says

Marta Kyte says

Marta Kyte says

Dixie Olson says

Bobbie Swanson Hilligoss says

Carolynn Yordy (Dunlop) says

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