A Woman Lost in the World

Marian Ellen Wills

Original in possession of Richard Devlin

This post is dedicated to my paternal grandmother,  Marian Ellen Wills.  Throughout her entire life she was one who knew heart ache.  She was born 19 May 1922 in Live Oak, Sutter, California.  Marian was the second of four children born to John Ferdinand Wills and Ellen Mae Fry.  When she was born her older sister, Dorothy Wills, did not like her.  She was hoping for a pony when her parents mentioned they had a surprise for her.  When they came home with Marian she was greatly disappointed.

Original in possession of Richard Devlin

At the age of 20 Marian married Ralph Loren Plaskett on Jan 20, 1943.  One month later her father, John Ferdinand, was murdered.  Shot in the back while harvesting his crop by his neighbor because he, John, accidentally ran over the neighbors dog. One month after the death of her father Marian was informed her new husband was in the hospital.  Marian went to visit Ralph as soon as she was informed then went home late that night to get some rest.  Marian was then called at 3am and informed that he had died.  When inquiring of his death the Army refused to give an explanation. 

 

Marian found love once again and married my grandfather, John Hempy Devlin, on Sep 29, 1945 in Marysville, California.  Marian and John met each other while John, who was a military policeman, was investigating the death of her father, John Ferdinand.  Why the military was investigating his death, we have no idea. 



Original photo in possession of Richard Devlin
 

Four years after their marriage, and much to their surprise, Marian gave birth to her first pride and joy, Richard Claude Devlin, the first of 5 children to be born to Marian.  The reason why the birth of Richard and the other children was a surprise was because John was told he would not be able to have children due to an injury he received during the war (WWII). 

 

It is after the birth of Richard that Marian suffers from another tragedy, not of untimely fate to her children, but of an illness that eventually overcomes this warrior in her own right.  After many visits to the doctor and mental hospital Marian would be diagnosed with having Manic Depression, known today as Bipolar.  The first episode of this illness revealed itself when Richard was about 2-3 days old.  John kissed his wife and newborn son goodbye one morning as he left for work.  Marian at the kitchen table in her robe holding a cup of coffee, Richard in a baby seat on the table.  When John came home around 5 or 6 that evening, Marian still sat at the kitchen table in her robe holding the same cup of coffee.  Richard crying in the baby seat on the table, soiled head to toe and no reaction from Marian. 

 

Throughout the rest of her life Marian continued to suffer from this mentally debilitating disease.  Marian loved her children, they were her pride and joy, although she was not always able to show them that love.  Unfortunately she could not care for her children as was needed and much of the responsibility rested upon her first two children Richard and Kathleen.  Requiring them to watch over the others and take care of the laundry, feeding and diapers of the two younger ones. At times Marian was no where to be found, other times she was in the mental institution receiving "treatments" for her mental disease.  Richard remembers being embarrassed of her and acting out as a rebellion towards her.  He remembers her walking down the street in a trance-like state mumbling to herself and hating her for acting as such.  It was so hard for her children, not understanding what was wrong with their mother.

 

After 16 years of marriage John divorced Marian (1961) and bought a home for her in Yuba City near her mother who helped take care of her for the rest of her life.  Her youngest son remembers going to the hospital with his mom and waiting for her to get treatments then going for ice cream afterwards.  Marian was later diagnosed with Schizophrenia and died of Hepatitis.

 

Marian died on July 2, 1969 at the young age of 47.  Leaving behind a 7 year old aching for his mother in the care of her mother and a fiancé who would never be able to repeat their vows to each other.  She also left behind 2 sons and 1 daughter.  Her other daughter preceded her in death at the age of 11. 

 

Unfortunately, there was no help for Manic Depression during that time, no one really knew what it was.   Marian fought the best she could but ultimately gave her life to the disease. Now, may she continue to rest from her labors, as fighting severe depression and other mental illnesses are exhausting.  Thank you Marian for bringing my father, aunts and uncles into this world and giving them the life they have.  For without their trials through you, they would not have become the people they are.