Obituary
Marita Lynn. Irvine (Christiansen), 71 years of age of Tallahassee Florida (formerly of Galva, Illinois) passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family, on May 28, 2024.
Marita was born in Shelbyville, IL on February 10, 1953, to Marjorie Christiansen (Swim) and Marvin L. Christiansen. Marita met the love of her life and soul mate, David William Irvine in 1974 and they eloped on March 14, 1982, to Dallas, Texas.
Marita was an over the road truck driver with her husband for 35 years, retiring in 2009. She loved to cook and if you left her table hungry, it was your own fault. She loved exploring new restaurants, playing Yahtzee, and listening to “COPS” on the television. Above all else, she loved her family fiercely and in her final years she became the most loving, kind, and compassionate person you could ever hope to be in the presence of.
Marita is survived by her daughter, Anita Shae Porter, Tallahassee, FL, her “fluffy butt grandkids” Nova, Ox and Ravioli, three sisters; Joanne Glover of Phoenix, AZ, Dorothy Stark of Davenport, IA, and Cheryl Godsey of East Moline, IL; her sister-in-law, Nancy Roberts (Poole), Batesville, AR, her “daughters-in-love”: Cyndi McCoy of Galva, IL; Jaymie Sanders of Davenport, IA, Sally Decrane of Kewanee, IL, Rita Edelman of Lincon, IL, and Denise Johnson of Zephyr Hills, FL; her “son-in-love” Thomas (Angela) Leece of Ocala, FL, her grandchildren, Andrea C. Irvine, Danial J. Porter, Robert Aaron I. Slavish (Jaimie), Jontavius Johnson, Megan L. Schrieber (Gatlin), Jaymie Slavish, Randi Davis (Jake), Trai Anderson, Katherine Griffith-Williams, Tabitha Davis, Robbie Anne Slavish, Belahna Slavish, Zohee Slavish, Alyssa Shadden, Gage Shadden, James Frederick (Beck), Nelson Carlson, and several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Marita was welcomed into Heaven by her husband (who was probably waiting for her in a semi, with a big smile on his face), her parents, 16 brothers and sisters and her best friend, Myrabeth “Mickey” Rapp.
A Celebration of Life is being held in Florida on June 22, 2024.
Marita will be laid to rest at the Galva Cemetery at a date and time to be determined.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to Melissa Shrewsberry for helping take care of her for the past six months and loving her like she was her own, Marion County Hospice for giving her dignity, peace and comfort during her final days, and her Ret’d neighbors, Roxy and Laz, who promptly ran to her rescue if she “took a trip” or needed help removing a critter from the kitchen floor that Nova had so proudly presented her.
Signed- One of the many foster kids you loved.
Our family is forever grateful for our time with her.