Marjorie Ann Goodell Eaves Vallejo

Obituary

With deep sadness, we announce the passing of Marjorie, who was born on March 6, 1947, and passed away peacefully on May 6, 2026, at her home in Ben Wheeler, Texas.

Marjorie, known more often as “Memaw,” will be dearly remembered for her warmth and generosity, her infectious laugh and humor, and her deep compassion for others. Family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues all experienced the sincerity and kindness that made time spent with her so meaningful.

Throughout her life, she built lasting connections and touched many lives through simple acts of care, encouragement, and friendship. Conversations, shared moments, and everyday gestures created memories that will remain with those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Family was at the center of Marjorie’s life, and she poured love, attention, and care into the people around her. She built lasting friendships through kindness, humor, and genuine connection. Known for forging her own path, she brought curiosity, compassion, and heart into everything she did, leaving a lasting imprint on all who knew her.

The passing of our beloved Marjorie leaves a space that cannot be filled. Yet the memories, lessons, laughter, and love she shared will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched.

Memaw will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Mom's Prayer

O Great Creator, we pause toward the end of this wonderful day to give THANKS to you for the many blessings you have given to us this day:
For the wonderful weather
For the safety, protection & comfort of our home
For this food that we eat for strength and energy
For our animals around us for protection
For the love of our families and friends

We Give Thanks
...and ask that you continue to be with us the rest of this day and over the dark night time hours.

I pray that you will be with us and our families and friends to guide our steps – wrap your love and protection around each and every one.

May our words be filled with love and joy and hope that will come thru us out into the world.

May our lives be honorable

Bless each and every one of us and prosper us abundantly that we in turn may be a help to someone else.

Thank You.
Amen

Gallery

Videos

Memory wall

June 1, 2026

I want to thank everyone for there beautiful words & memories of our Mother. Everyone who came on Saturday to remember & share in a life filled with love, friendship and an amount of grace that I can only hope to carry a small amount of. If she met you, you were a friend, if she loved you, you were family. I hope that we all carry her laugh in our hearts on the days that seem hard to remind us all that she is still with us in everything we do.

Suzanne Allen

June 1, 2026

Mom loved the movie Practical Magic

Gwendolyn Renee Guarino

May 27, 2026

We don’t have a lot of photos of Mrs. Marjorie, but we do have a lot of memories. She was our next door neighbor for the last 12 or 13 years, maybe even longer. She was the best neighbor anyone could ever ask for, watched our pets for us while we were gone, was always right there when you called, and was a close friend of my mother. I always remembered when winter would come and flu season started because she always brought us some elderberry medicine. Homemade, I thought it was so impressive. She made her own lotions and hand creams as well, and I remember being gifted them and thinking “Oh wow I can smell just like Mrs. Marjorie!” Because I always liked the scents she used in them.
My dad remembers her asparagus bush the most. She had it out in her front yard, and he would mow around it for her so the weeds wouldn’t grow up on it. She told us about a peach tree in the back of our property, and we finally uncovered it this year and sent her pictures of it. She was a great lady, and is greatly missed in our household.

Hannah Wagley

May 22, 2026

I dont know where to start I feel so lost right now , she took me in with out question and treated me like a son more so than my own at times and Ill never forget the love she gave unconditionally and would show up for you when no one else would... I love you and You are cherished beyond belief mom I love you and miss you!!!

JOHN REYES

May 22, 2026

We were long time friends. So enjoyed Marjorie's humor, herbal knowledge, and mechanical skills stories. We met via our nail tech. (And were both constantly in trouble, for the escapades we put our nails through - and nail tech , because of them. ) For a few years we both worked in down town Dallas semi- adjacent buildings, and would meet occasionally for lunch. When my job moved across downtown, our lunch meetings became fewer. Then I began working from home, and our luncheons ended. When Marjorie and Johnny decided to move to the north west, she kept me posted on all the dips, turns, successes, and unexpected barriers. She may not have been; but I was thrilled when they moved back to Texas. Surprise! they settled in east Texas, near my childhood home. The drive to Marjorie's Tyler job was a long one. On a Saturday phone call, she explained all the logistics, and the limitations for her planned herbal garden . My parent's house was vacant, half the distance to her work. I trusted asked if she was interested. The next day they checked it out, and moved the end of the month. Marjorie happily planted a small herb garden in the backyard; in addition to her potted herbs. (I think the rosemary is still trying to hang on now. Several years after they moved to their "forever home", closer to Tyler and her job.) We discussed getting together many times. But my trips to east Texas never allowed detours. (I told her I always waved to her, as I drove past their exit on I20.) And their trips to Dallas were always equally too busy. We still exchanged phone calls, Christmas cards, text messages, and FB posts. Our recent attempts for phone calls have been unsuccessful. I am sad for that. I miss her. I miss knowing she's there, her herbal wisdom, children and grandkids' success stories, and funny nail tech stories because she had damaged her nails being her own mechanic. 🌻🪴

Frances Ann Boddeker

May 22, 2026

The big one:
In May of 2015 an F3 tornado swept through Ben Wheeler and Van, TX.

www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/injuries-damage-after-storms-in-van-fire-chief/186687

The storm took out the largest tree on the property, which was about 15 feet off the front of the house, and 2 large trees in the backyard. The only damage to the house was a 1/2 inch hole in a window.

None of the trees fell towards the house, and mom told me one time that the event reminded her of the scene in "The World According To Garp" where a plane crashes into the house they are about to buy. Mom said that our house became "pre-disastered" after that tornado and that the house probably wouldn't be hit again by another storm that strong.

The 2015 tornado moved through our property taking out trees and doing some damage to outbuildings. The water and electricity were out for days following, along with the road being closed due to debris obstructions.

The photo here was taken when the road was open and passable, when our entire family showed up to help clear fallen trees and do property clean up.

That year is referred to "The year of the great tornado" to this day.

Gwendolyn Renee Guarino

May 19, 2026

Driving back roads out here one year, mom spotted a corn field with fully ripe corn, right at the roadside and decided we should "liberate" some for dinner! Not much, maybe a grocery bag full and it was the best tasting corn EVER!

Gwendolyn Renee Guarino

May 19, 2026

Mom's memory wall would not be complete without the "dishwasher for steaming veg" story! I haven't found a pic of it yet but will look for one. The story:
It was a Thanksgiving many years ago when Mom and Johnny first moved into the Ben Wheeler house and we ran out of stove and oven space. The dishwasher was free so mom decided to pop some veg in there to keep them warm/steamy! We laughed for an hour over that "mom" move! We tell that story to this day, and giggle like little kids!

Gwendolyn Renee Guarino

May 19, 2026

Mom loved to dress in costume, as you can see in her Gallery! Any events where she could dress up was definitely her thing! For many, many years she had a section of her closet (not to mention boxes of various costume pieces) dedicated to themed costumes, and taught us girls at a very young age to embrace dress-up. She really made events fun and memorable!

Gwendolyn Renee Guarino

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