Marian Virginia SiddalJuly 17, 1938 - Nov. 30, 2009Marian Virginia Siddall, 71, passed away Monday at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland.She was born Marian Giedd in Turtle Lake, N.D. Her proud parents were Otto and Esther Giedd. She had an older brother, Ernie, and two younger sisters, Theone and Karen. After growing up for a time in Turtle Lake, the Giedds moved to Oregon and eventually settled down in Albany. Marian graduated from Albany Union High School (now West Albany High) and initially attended Lee College (now Lee University) for her first year, transferring to Western Oregon State College to obtain elementary teaching credentials.To supplement her income, she worked at Wah Chang, where she met a dashing young physicist named Mark Siddall. After a less than promising start of their relationship (a story Marian loved to recount), Mark finally won her over. The spring break before her graduation from WOSC, they were married.Marian started her career in elementary education, but the young couple soon found themselves pregnant with their only daughter, Lisa. With a strong family tradition ingrained into her from her parents, Marian soon lost interest in educating other people's children and began to pour her life into her daughter. Countless slides and home movies document their life and love for each other while the couple enjoyed every aspect of raising a truly exceptional child. During this time, Marian initiated a half-time secretary program at Linn County ESD so that she could be with Lisa after school.Marian was an adventurous and opportunistic traveler along with her husband and daughter, taking long bicycle vacations across Europe during several summers, living on a shoestring and enjoying whatever life brought as they braved all manners of adventures together, including touring behind the Iron Curtain in a Volkswagen Beetle and little more than a prayer.Eventually, their daughter graduated from Oregon State University and was married to her husband, Doug. This left Marian and Mark with extra time on their hands. Marian filled this time by being the president of the Albany Branch of the American Association of University Women as well as being Oregon Sen. Mae Yih's off-session secretary.It was at this point in 1991 that her life took a sudden turn when she had a brain aneurism, which left her in a coma for several weeks. Through God's mercy, Marian made a miraculous comeback. During this time, her daughter Lisa also was presented with a significant challenge when Rose, their child, was born with spina bifida along with a host of other challenges that usually accompany this birth disease.No less miraculously, Marian and Lisa, along with the rest of the family, poured their life into Rose with spectacular results. Marian especially enjoyed hearing Rose's skillful playing of the cello, Marian's favorite instrument. As Rose grew, Marian played a very large role in Rose's life as Lisa pursued a master's degree from the University of Oregon.Marian was most proud of Rose and Lisa, never missing a recital or concert until her health began to ebb in the last year. After a vigorous and determined effort which claimed the last 10 weeks of her life, Marian finally went home to meet Jesus on Nov. 30 at 6 p.m. surrounded by those she loved, listening to her two favorite ladies serenade her with hymns and beloved songs until the absolute end. Just before the end, Rose played her favorite song, Kol Nidre, which brought a final tear to her eye, one of joy.Marian is survived by Mark, her faithful husband and co-adventurer for 44 years; daughter Lisa and husband Doug; favorite granddaughter Rose; older brother Ernie Giedd and wife Betty; sister Theone Goldman and husband Ned; and youngest sister Karen Samuels.She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.A service will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Albany First Assembly of God in the main sanctuary. All are invited. Interment will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Willamette Memorial Park in Millerburg, followed by a no-host reception at 4:30 p.m. at Novak's Restaurant, 2835 Santiam Highway S.E., Albany.AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home is handling arrangements.