Marjorie Reineman Levering Yackey

Marjorie Reineman Levering Yackey died peacefully in her home in Fallbrook, Calif., on November 26, 2011. She was 92 years old. She will be remembered for her friendly smile, her ladylike and caring demeanor, her love for her family and her dedication to her volunteer work for Fallbrook.

Marjorie Jane Reineman was born on April 27, 1919 in Walla Walla, Wash. Before she was two years old, she came to Fallbrook, where her parents and grandparents had purchased 160 acres of land for dry-land farming. Marjorie went through the Fallbrook school system and was valedictorian of her graduating class from Potter High School.

That summer she married Frank Levering and together they raised four children in the house they built on a corner of the farm her parents and grandparents had bought and where she lived for 74 years on Reineman Road. They also raised chickens, ran a lemon grove and operated a successful accounting firm. She participated in the government community education program during WWII where she taught preserving food from victory gardens. Frank Levering died in March of 1976.

Marjorie married George Yackey in October 1977 and they continued living in Fallbrook. Together, they traveled worldwide to over 19 countries. George Yackey died in 1991.

Marjorie was active in the community in numerous organizations. She served as president of the Historical Society and president of the Fallbrook Healthcare Foundation.

She also served as a board member for the Angel Society of Fallbrook and a local, district and state adult leader for Rainbow for Girls. She was proud that she helped raise the funds needed to put a new roof on Fallbrook Hospital, to purchase the land and buildings for The Fallbrook Healthcare Foundation (now Foundation for Senior Care) and to build the Fallbrook Historical Society museum building.

She was affiliated with the Rotary Club of Fallbrook since 1946. Frank Levering was a charter member and Club president. George Yackey was a Club president. She later became a member herself. She was also a member of the Eastern Star and the Fallbrook Quilt Guild.

She was honored by the Fallbrook Chamber of Commerce as their 1991 Citizen of the Year and the Fallbrook Historical Society as their Pioneer of the Year in 1998.

Marjorie is survived by her four children: Michael Levering and his wife Alice of Henderson, Nev.; Betsey Levering Gowing of Fallbrook; Richard Levering of Fallbrook; and Mary Levering Sparks and her husband Dan of Pine Valley.

She also included as family George Yackey’s three children and their families: George Jr. who lived in La Mesa with his wife Donna; Richard Yackey and his wife Ruth who live in Enumclaw, Wash.; and Janie Stetzler and her husband Grant who live in Reading, Penn.

Marjorie had 11 grandchildren: Jeff Levering and his wife Carolyn; Wendy Levering; Heather Eltringham and her husband Greg; Joshua Hernandez and his wife Shannon; Michael Hernandez and his wife Tracy; Mike Yackey and his wife Cara; Adam Kayce and his wife Lee; Carol Smith and her husband Rick; David Berger and his wife Kim; Janis McGibbon and her husband John; and Christy Edgell and her husband Jim.

She was a great-grandmother to: Samantha and Spencer Levering; Bella and Dylan Hernandez; Trevor and Bradley Seabaugh; Brooke and Jerrett Hernandez; Yasmin and Sara Kayce; Samantha, Alexander and Alyssa Smith; Alexis, Jordan, and Taylor Berger; and Ander, Torin, Gracie, Madison and Morgan Edgell.

She was a great-great-grandmother to Jaelyn Marie Berger of Redding, Penn.

Friends of Marjorie Yackey are invited to join her family in a celebration of life to be held on Friday, December 16 at 2 o’clock at the Grand Tradition. A private funeral and burial will be held for her family members only.

The family has requested that instead of flowers, donations be made in Marjorie’s memory to The Angel Society of Fallbrook, The Fallbrook Historical Society or The Foundation for Senior Care.