Marion P. Hastings (nee Codding)

Age 101 of White Bear Lake

Mom grew up in the small town of Athol, MA during the depression and World War II.  The hardships and sacrifices during this time helped shape the way she lived her life.  Her family faced loss early with the deaths of both her sisters, Ruth and Leah in the same year.  Both her brothers Ray and Alvin served during the war - in the Army and Navy, respectively, and both returned home safely.  Mom graduated with top honors from Bay Path Institute in 1942, when many women were quitting school to work.  Joan remembers Mom once saying that she thought her own Mom was the kindest person she knew and how she followed suit - in hearts!

Marion married Arthur R. Hastings in 1947 and spent several years moving around the country and raising a family of 4 children.  The Hastings family moved to White Bear Lake, MN in 1968.  All 4 children graduated from White Bear Senior High.  Marion and Art eventually joined the White Bear Lake United Methodist Church and both became very active in their church.  Mom spent countless hours helping in every aspect of the church and serving in the UMW for many years.  Not only did Mom serve her church, she spent thousands of hours volunteering in many other organizations - AARP, Senior Center, Central Follies, 4-H Club and Election judge to name just a few.  We feel that Mom lived her church!  She gave her time, talents and her treasures wherever they were needed.  No charity was too small - butterflies - or too big - Just Discover a Remedy Fast for Juvenile Diabetes - for her to support.

It can be said that Mom was a conservationist, a philanthropist, a volunteer extraordinaire, and a lifelong student.  She loved puzzles of all kinds, was a voracious reader and loved reading to us when we were small, and found genealogy fascinating!  She loved to travel and went on several world trips with friends as well as country wide trips with friends and family. Mom taught us to give from the heart and, so, many teachers received homemade ice candles for Christmas.  And there are countless people who were blessed with her dedicated tradition of giving Christmas Tree Bread! When her grandchildren were born, she spent as much time with them as she could - enjoying concerts and sports events, as well as graduations and a wedding! 

Mom lived a great life although she would have been the last to describe it that way.  The titles we can bestow upon her are sister, aunt, and friend, and the greatest titles of Mom and Grandma.  She is survived by her children Paul (Mary), Joan, Carol, and Philip (Jodie); grandchildren Laura Hastings (Danny Schwarze), Samuel Hastings (Sophie), Kyle Hastings, and Mike (Brenna) Munson and their daughter Zoe, brother Alvin Codding, many nieces and nephews and all of the friends touched in their lives by her presence.

Service Tuesday August 8, 2023 at 11 a.m. at WHITE BEAR LAKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 1851 Birch Street, White Bear Lake, with visitation starting at 10 a.m.

Memorials preferred to JDRF in lieu of flowers.