Marian Dorothy (Saban) Alberico

Marian Alberico, our beautiful, sweet mom, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2024 at her home in Idaho Falls surrounded by her loving family and devoted caregivers, after a nine year long battle with dementia. She was 92.

Marian was born June 20, 1932 in Ruth, an old mining town in central Nevada, to Mary (Stimac) and Matt Saban. Her father emigrated to the U.S. from what is now Croatia in 1916 at the age of 17. Her mother, also of full Croatian descent, was born in Bingham, Utah. Marian was the second of three children. Her older brother, Lawrence, was born in Burns, Oregon in 1930 and her younger brother Johnny was born in Nevada City, California in 1935.

In 1941, the family moved to Portland, Oregon and a fourth child, Antonia, was born in 1945. Unfortunately, due to his many years of working in the mines during the Great Depression under harsh conditions, Matt died of silicosis and tuberculosis in 1947. Marian, only 14 at the time, was devastated by the loss of her loving father. She frequently shared stories about him throughout her life, especially in her later years.

Marian graduated from Jefferson High School in 1950 in Portland, Oregon (where she was known as the best jitterbug dancer). She then attended clerical school and relocated to Tooele, Utah in 1951 for a job at the Army Ordnance Depot. In 1953, at a popular place called "The Spot" in Tooele, Marian met the love of her life, Armando Alberico, who was home on leave from the Air Force during the Korean War. His family lived in nearby Magna, Utah where they settled after immigrating from San Victorino, Italy to the United States in 1940.

Marian and Armando were married on July 17, 1954 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Magna. Armando worked for Kennecott Copper in the 1950's and early 1960's, and for most of this period Marian continued to work at the Ordnance Depot. After Marian was told by her doctor that she would likely never have children, they were blessed with their first child, James Anthony, in 1959. Armando enrolled in college night classes and with Marian's support, he earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah, being the first college graduate in his family.

In 1962, Marian, Armando and Jimmy moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho where Armando had secured a technical position at the National Reactor Testing Station (now the Idaho National Laboratory). In 1968, Armando and Marian built their family home where they both lived out their lives. Marian was very involved in the design process and always kept their home immaculately clean. They were surprisingly blessed with two more children, Kristina in 1971 and Stephanie in 1976.

Marian was a full-time homemaker and always involved in a whirlwind of activity. Despite being an older parent to Kristina and Stephanie, this did not stop her in any way. She was a room mother every year, at the forefront of many church and school events and frequently hosted big Italian dinners and birthdays at their family home. Marian was a social butterfly and rarely sat down even when she endured treatments for an aggressive form of breast cancer at age 73. Marian's flower gardens were beautiful and seemingly never-ending which she planted every summer without fail, into her mid-80s. They were well complimented by Armando's robust vegetable gardens and perfectly manicured trees and lawn. Marian was also a tremendous cook. Her mother-in-law taught her how to prepare all the Italian dishes from Armando's region in Italy, which included the special spaghetti sauce that took two days to prepare. Marian also had a love for the arts, especially ballet. She dedicated her time to this passion by working for the Idaho Falls Ballet Society studio and the Idaho Ballet Theatre for several years where both Kristina and Stephanie were enrolled.

Most of all, Marian was devoted to her family. She was always there for Armando and her children in every way possible, putting their needs before hers. Marian was affectionately called "Mama" not only by her children, but by close family friends and her caregivers. She was a very compassionate and loving person. Marian's love of dancing, big band music which she enjoyed until her last day, infectious laugh, smile with a beautiful dimple, and sweet sense of humor will resonate deep in everyone's hearts forever. She will be dearly missed.

After nearly 64 years of marriage, Marian's beloved Armando died in 2018.

Marian is survived by her children Jimmy (Idaho Falls), Kristina (Idaho Falls) and Stephanie (Salt Lake City), and sister Antonia (Toni) of Portland, Oregon. She is preceded in death by her parents and her siblings Lawrence Saban and John Saban.

A private family ceremony will be held at a later date. The family would like to thank all of the wonderful caregivers, doctors, nurses and therapists for their compassionate care and dedication over the past 6 years.