Marilin Jean (Vlacich) Hyder was born August 2, 1942, in Los Angels, California and grew up in San Marino, and South Pasadena until 1970 when she moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. While in California she attended San Marino High Scholl and Mt. San Antonio Jr. College. She was a William Adrian model during her teenage years, loved playing the organ for weddings at her church, St. Stevens Serbian Orthodox Church in Alhambra, California. She enjoyed time at Balboa Island and Newport Beach, but especially Lake Arrowhead. She loved attending horse races watching her parents’ horses cross the finish line victoriously, and some not so victoriously. She played tennis and enjoyed swimming, pretending to be Esther Williams, and planning neighborhood water shows. She enjoyed spending time at picnics and family gatherings with her cousins, Brian, Marie, Mitch, Gary, Denny, Johnny, Donna, Ronnie, her sister Carolyn, and brother Alan. During her working years she was a secretary at New York Life Insurance Company.

While in Hawaii she met and married William R. (Bill) Hyder. They have one son together, William Alan (Wil) Hyder. There she continued to work for New York Life until she and Bill moved to Guam. Upon returning to Hawaii, she began a career in insurance with local companies. She was active in her church, Hawaii Kai Baptist Church, and enjoyed writing children’s stories. She was also active in the Republican Party, holding office in both her precinct, district, and acting as a delegate to the State Convention twice. She was active in her son’s school activities, the most fun being a scorekeeper for his baseball teams, starting when he was five years old through high school. She also worked at Our Redeemer Lutheran School as a secretary and was the leader of the “Just Say No” program. She loved travelling to the mainland during the summer to visit her friends and family, eating at her favorite places, like In-N-Out, Twohey’s, Philippe’s and she loved travelling to the outer islands whenever she could.

In 2000, upon Bill’s retirement, Marilin and Bill moved to Incline Village at Lake Tahoe, which she often said was her favorite place in the world because of its God created beauty. After a short time, they moved to Post Falls/Lake Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, where she battled cancer. While there her favorite thing was boat rides in the Sea Ray, which she loved, as well as lake activities and entertaining friends. After a time, she and Bill settled in Surprise, Arizona, where she became active in her church, Grace Bible Church, and with Community Bible Study as a member and core leader. She loved God’s word and she loved studying it with the ladies in her classes. Her book, “Devoted to You,” incudes some of the story devotionals she wrote while attending Community Bible Study. It was a meaningful ministry for her.

The free time that retirement provided enabled her and Bill to take a world cruise aboard the Viking Sun. They also enjoyed a Danube River Cruise along with several other cruises, which enabled Marilin to visit some of the islands where her ancestors were from. It was very meaningful to her. Her Serbian heritage was close to her heart as well as their customs and traditions, many of which she honored and celebrated. While she enjoyed many travel opportunities, her passion was cooking. While on the World cruise, she took 35 cooking classes, some aboard the ship and some in various ports. She then came home and cooked all her favorites. She brought home spices from India, Spain, and several other countries that she visited. She participated in many cooking classes locally and was the happiest planning menus, putting meals together and sharing with friends and family. She enjoyed reading mystery novels, taking pictures and making photo albums. She also enjoyed writing devotionals, many of which have been shared across the lands.

She loved concerts, plays, reggae music, Tom Selleck, and Ronald Reagan (haha). She loved basketball, baseball, season tickets to the Phoenix Suns, and spring training in Surprise. She loved prime rib and Oscar Mayer bologna (thanks Mitch!) sandwiches on white bread with miracle whip. She also loved her mom’s cheesecake. She loved Donna, Auntie Momo and Auntie Lorraine. She loved her family, and is survived by her husband Bill, her son Wil, her daughter-in-law Natasha, her granddaughter Kairie Kay, her brother Alan, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Her dearly beloved sister, Carolyn, passed before her in 2014.

On February 22, 2022, Marilin received one of the greatest gifts of her life, the birth of her granddaughter, Kairie. She thanks God for the time she was able to spend with her. Kairie brought joy beyond her imagination, and each moment with her in person or FaceTime, enjoying photos and videos were precious moments to carry in her heart and soul forever.

Marilin chose a scripture verse at the beginning of each year to be her own for that year. This year (2023), she chose Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for I the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. “She loved the Lord with all her heart. She also had a heart for people who were hungry, saying that no one in this great and abundant country of ours should ever be without food. So, she asked that those who wish to make a memorial donation in her name to please consider the Phoenix Rescue Misson and St. Mary’s Food Bank. She also loved St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital praying that one day no child will ever die of cancer and the Shriners Hospitals for Children praying that each child may thrive under the care provided in that loving environment.

Marilin said “If I could leave a legacy to my family, it would be faith. I am reminded of the hymn “Find Us Faithful,” which says “Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe, and the lives that we live inspire them to obey. O may all who come behind us find us faithful.” I am not a perfect person, but I serve a perfect God.”

Thank you for attending today and may your memories of Marilin put a smile on your face!