It is with loving hearts that we announce the passing of Marilyn Lucille Van Alstyne (nee Flynn) on Saturday, June 29 ^th , 2019 in her daughter's home in Sacramento , CA .  She passed just 3 days prior to her 92 ^nd birthday with her daughter Celeste Van Alstyne Spitz and son-in-law Greg Spitz by her side.

Born in Chicago, Ill. on July 2, 1927 she was the youngest of three children.  At the age of 5, the family moved to San Bruno, CA where she lived for 20 years. After WWII ended, Marilyn met her future husband Andrew Van Alstyne III (Andy) who was decommissioned in San Francisco. They were married on June 1, 1947. They lived in the California Bay Area and started their family. Later they moved to Sacramento as Andy's career advanced. He became co-owner of Joe Mahre Tire Service for 23 years during which time he and Marilyn raised their four daughters.  Along with raising her daughters, Marilyn was involved in the St. Charles Borromeo and St. Francis Catholic Church volunteering and supporting her faith. She worked as a realtor in Elk Grove and Wilton, CA and was a property investor.

Moving to Central Oregon and retiring was the plan in 1979, but quickly Marilyn and Andy started a new venture of building investment homes in Sunriver. It wasn't until they decided to open the first St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store in Bend, OR to support needy families did Andy truly find his passion.  Utilizing their business skills, Marilyn and Andy worked tirelessly to open and create a non-profit business focusing on serving others. The thrift store grew to multiple locations and fed thousands of families for over two decades under their management. Marilyn also was the Office Manager at the parish office at St. Francis in Bend.

Andy and Marilyn retired for the last time in Woodburn, Oregon, to be close to their children and grandchildren.

Marilyn's Catholic faith was central to her life.  She served in ministerial capacities of Sacristan, Lector, Eucharistic Minister, member of Parish Councils and Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. She also served on Diocesan Councils both in the Sacramento and Baker Dioceses starting in 1958 until she moved to Woodburn. Marilyn also volunteered to support multiple churches she attended over the years. Marilyn and Andy attended daily Mass as time allowed in Sacramento but once they retired to Bend attended every day and Eucharistic Adoration weekly until health issues intervened. Marilyn was also a professed member of the Third Order of Discalced Carmelites, Sacramento, California since 1959.

Playing cards, traveling, quilting and researching genealogy were interests Marilyn had but time with family and involvement in the Catholic Church were most important to her.

Marilyn is predeceased by her loving husband of 68 years, Andrew Van Alstyne III ; parents, Edward B. Flynn and Isabella (nee Lannoye) Flynn, brother, Edward B. Flynn, Jr., sister, Janice Spence and nephew, Edward Flynn III . Marilyn is survived by her children: Claudia Van Alstyne Krage, Lydia Mitchum, Celeste Van Alstyne Spitz (Greg), and Angela Van Alstyne Studer.  She was a loving Nana to Corey Mitchum (Danielle), Amber Van Alstyne, Kendall Krage, Robert Krage (Megan), Matt McVey (Ashley), Kevin Viljoen (Edward), Jason Spitz, Madison Studer, Abigail Studer and proud Great Grandmother to Taylor Fox (Melina), Collin Mitchum (Kristiabeth Hunt), Alexis Dunbar, Trinity Dunbar, David Aiden Crane, Jocelyn Krage and Henderson Krage. Marilyn was also a loving aunt to Robert Taylor (Valerie), Colleen Flynn, Kathleen Sinclair (Gordon) and Kevin Flynn.

A special thanks to Celeste, Greg and Jason Spitz for welcoming Marilyn into their home following Andy's death as she was truly happy there. Heartfelt thanks to Celeste, Greg, Jason, Amber and Lexi for their extraordinary care and support of mom during her final weeks. Also thank you to all family and friends for their love, support and prayers.

Services honoring Marilyn's life will begin at St. Louis Catholic Church in Saint Louis , Oregon , 14013 Manning Rd., on Saturday, July 13 ^th .  A family led Rosary will begin at 10:30AM, and a mass to follow, at 11:00AM.  Burial will be immediately following Mass at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Gervais, OR.