Marion Grizzard

Marion (Kouba) Grizzard, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, and friend, passed away peacefully in Prescott, Arizona, on March 31, 2025, at the age of 97. Born on April 9, 1927, in Chicago, IL, Marion was the eldest of three daughters. She grew up surrounded by family and friends and carried a lifelong pride in her Czech heritage. It was in a building in downtown Chicago where fate stepped in. On a rainy day she nearly skipped her third job interview but chose to go anyway. That decision led to a chance meeting in the elevator with a charming barber named Max, followed by their wedding in June 1949. Their encounter sparked a love story that would span over 60 joyful years. In 1981, Marion and Max gladly traded the harsh Chicago winters for Florida's sunny beaches, following a job relocation with IBM. There she proudly contributed to the development of IBM's first personal computer, an accomplishment that reflected her intelligence and forward thinking. Her thirty-six years in Florida were among the happiest of her life, filled with international travel, cruises, and meaningful visits with family and friends. In "retirement" they enjoyed staying busy with their small businesses, The Peppy Pelican and later Pampered Pets. Though Max predeceased her in 2009, their love remained the cornerstone of Marion's life. Marion remained in their Florida home until 2017, when she moved to Austin TX to be near her daughter, Laura. Her final years were marked by the same things that defined her entire life: love, of family, joyful celebrations, delicious food, and plenty of laughter. When Laura planned a move to Virginia, Marion once again embraced change with grace, moving to Arizona to be close to her daughter, Donna. Marion brought joy and kindness wherever she went, with her easygoing nature, ready smile, and playful spirit. She adored her family and her beloved rescued dogs, Cindy, Penny, Brandy, Chipper, Pepper, Winston, Foxy, and Jesse. A true lover of life, she enjoyed dining out and had a well-known sweet tooth, with a special fondness for desserts, especially chocolate. She had a fun-loving, competitive spirit delighting in games like Apples to Apples, Connect 4, One Night: Werewolf, and even Pokémon Go, where she battled trainers and Pokémon to proudly achieve Level 41 at the age of 96. Marion was predeceased by her loving husband Max, her parents Hynek and Mary Kouba, and her sister Vera. She is survived by her daughters, Donna van Rijn (Benny), Laura Kehoe (Dan), her grandchildren Jason, Josh, Kayden, and Haley, dear sister Dolores, and many beloved nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11am on April 15, 2025, at Palms West Funeral Home in Royal Palm Beach, FL, followed by a graveside service, 1:30-2pm, at South Florida Cemetery in Lake Worth. Please join us for lunch afterwards, and be sure to order dessert, possibly a decadent chocolate, in celebration of Marion's memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marion's name to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, The Treasure Coast Humane Society, or your favorite animal charity.