Marlys Mae (McGray) Beith, 94, of Lakeside, California, passed away peacefully at her home on September 11, 2026.

Marlys was born on the family farm in Hankinson, North Dakota, to Harold William McGray and Viola Johanna (Tiegs) McGray. She was the firstborn, followed by her siblings, Wanda, Joyce, and Robert. Marlys treasured her childhood on the farm, especially her trips to town with her Dad, which got her out of chores.

As a teenager, she found a love for horses and enjoyed participating on a local riding and drill team. In her late teens, she moved to town and began working, where she soon met a construction worker named Robert Eugene “Gene” Beith, who swept her off her feet. They married on November 21, 1949, and their journey began. Gene’s construction work took them to several states, and along the way, they began raising their family. They landed in California in 1956, and in 1964, they purchased their family home in Lakeside, where Marlys lived for the rest of her life.

Marlys loved animals and children. She lit up when there were little ones around. As she raised her own children, she also worked caring for many other children over the years. She provided daycare for many of her grandchildren while their parents worked. Her proudest accomplishment was her family. She spent many years hosting family gatherings until the size of the family outgrew her small home, but her love and desire to bring everyone together never changed.

She enjoyed sewing, canning vegetables from the garden, trips to the desert with her family, and attending rodeos. One of her greatest traditions was attending the Lakeside Rodeo. She attended every Lakeside Rodeo from 1964 through 2026.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Eugene Beith; sons, Roger Beith and Kenneth Beith; and son-in-law, Kenneth Francese. She is survived by daughters Sharon Francese, Carolyn Leedy, Caren Gage (Harrison), and Cheryl Schneider (Brian), and son David Beith (Sondra). She was blessed with 18 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren, and one more arriving in November.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Lakeside.