Marty Bolyan of Lakeport, Calif., died Jan. 29, 2013, in her home, and was laid to rest in a private graveside service Feb. 1 at the Kelseyville cemetery.
She was a bright spirited woman born and raised in Wilber, Neb., where she was an active participant in the Sokol Gymnastics group, traveling to Chicago to compete.
She was very proud of her Czech heritage and participated in the Wilber Czech Days whenever she could, sharing the tradition with her children.
Marty and her husband Larry (deceased December 1997), met in Lincoln, Neb., when she worked at the YMCA and Larry was a student at the university.
They began their life together, moving to the wilderness of Alaska. When she had enough of the cold they moved to San Mateo, Calif., where they raised their three children, Lora, Jean and Ben.
Marty volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and worked as a school librarian in San Mateo. Towards the end of her life she made an unforgettable trip down “Memory Lane” with her daughters revisiting their favorite childhood places.
She loved to travel, and visited much of the world: Russia, Australia, and Japan with Larry; Europe with her brothers, and the Czech Republic and Yugoslavia with her daughter. Additionally, she made many trips up and down the state, visiting her daughter in Washington and her niece in Los Angeles.
As Marty and Larry looked towards retirement they purchased a small “farm” outside Lakeport where they lived for over 35 years and enjoyed many beautiful afternoons of shared 4:00 coffee. There were many friends and family visitors in her life, most regularly her five grandchildren whom she loved and enjoyed dearly.
Marty was an active member of the Quail Run Fitness Center. She served on the Lake County Grand Jury, Juvenile Justice Committee, Lake County Arts Council, Library Advisory Board and the Senior Gleaners.
She is survived by her daughters, Lora Moore of Sacramento and Jean Ellis of Prosser, Wash.; son Ben (Jackie) Bolyan of Lakeport; her grandchildren, Brandon, Stephanie, and Brian Ellis, and Benjamin Bolyan and Thomas Moore.
Additionally she is survived by many nieces and nephews from the east to west coasts, as well as abroad in the Czech Republic, and her sister Dace and brother-in-law Bob Mitchell of San Francisco. The youngest of seven, all siblings predeceased her.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Services of Lake County, 1717 S. Main St., Lakeport CA 95453.
For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .