Marian Ellen Stearly, 85, of Georgetown, Texas, passed away at the Wesleyan Nursing Home on December 23, 2012. Marian was born in Laporte, Colorado on December 3, 1927, to Richard A. and Mable E. Falloon. She grew up on the family farm northwest of Laporte. Marian graduated from Cache La Poudre High School in Laporte on May 18, 1945. She attended business school in Denver, Colorado, and while employed at the Colorado A&M (now Colorado State University) Extension Service, became engaged to Byron A. Stearly. One day Byron, who was a printer by trade, walked into her office and gave her a custom-made business card. It said "I'd like to make a date with you. If the answer is yes, keep this card. If the answer is no, just hand it back." They were married on May 29, 1947, in Laporte. Marian kept the card that day, and carried it with her every day of the nearly 62 years they were married.

After their marriage, Byron & Marian made their home in Fort Collins, Colorado until 1962, when they moved to Aurora, Colorado. In Aurora, Marian was employed by the J.C. Penney Company and later by American Express where she worked in fraud investigation. In 1995 they moved to Georgetown, Texas. Marian was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Georgetown and was a member of the Women on Mission program there. Since a decline in her health in 2008, Marian has resided at the Wesleyan Nursing Home of Georgetown. Byron also lived at the Wesleyan from 2008 until his death in May of 2009.

She is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Colette and Jerry Mayfield of Georgetown, Texas; daughter and son-in-law, Annette and Rich Froid of Kearney, Nebraska; and son and daughter-in-law, Ron and Elaine Stearly of Mishawaka, Indiana; sister-in-law, Pat Falloon of LaVerne, California; grandchildren, Michael and Mary Jo Froid of Minden, Nebraska; David and Kim Froid of Houston, Texas; Dayna and Kevin Garland of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Dawna and Eric Draper of Cuero, Texas; Christopher Stearly of Bloomington, Indiana; and Megan Stearly of Mishawaka, Indiana. She is also survived by great-grandchildren, Zachary, Mikaela, Avery, Gabriella and Jackson Froid of Minden; Lucas Garland of Colorado Springs; Ashtyn and Dawson Draper of Cuero; and Christian Stearly of Mishawaka.

In addition to her parents, Marian was preceded in death by her brother, Dr. Richard Falloon of California, who died January 19, 2012, and her sister, Frances Falloon of Denver, who died on November 27, 2012.

Marian lived Proverbs 31: 25-28 to the fullest. Her faith in God and her compassion for her family were first and foremost in her life. When her children were young she was always involved in their activities. In later years she followed the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren closely. As a young woman she exhibited a high level of artistic ability as a watercolorist. This ability would later influence her son, Ron, to pursue a career as an artist which continues to this day. Her expertise in the field of food preparation was well known and much appreciated by every member of her family and many friends. One of her greatest joys was hosting friends and family for special meals on special occasions.

The legacy of Marian's life will be celebrated at a memorial service on Saturday, January 26, 2013, 2:00 p.m., at Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown with Pastor David Griffin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given in Marian's memory to Wesleyan Hospice, 508 Leander Road, Georgetown, Texas 78626-8406.

Ramsey Funeral Home, Georgetown, Texas, 512-869-7775.