Former Newport mayor remembered for her charitable nature

NEWPORT BEACH — Former Newport Beach Mayor Doreen Demond Marshall died of natural causes at her home Nov. 9.

The longtime Lido Isle resident, who served on the City Council for nearly a decade, was also known for her charitable contributions. She was 88.

Marshall was born Doreen Demond on Dec. 22, 1922, in Los Angeles to Earle Frank Demond and Lucile Long Demond. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from UCLA, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. Marshall also did post-graduate work at Columbia University.

After spending time in New York City, Marshall returned to Southern California and married Robert "Bob" J. Marshall, who also attended UCLA. The two married in Santa Ana shortly after Bob Marshall returned from serving in World War II.

The two lived for a time at Bob Marshall's Tustin home among orange groves, which he farmed. They later sold the land and moved to Lido Isle in Newport Harbor.

Marshall served on the City Council from 1962 to 1970, spending 1968 to 1970 as mayor. She also was an active volunteer and member of several civic and charitable organizations. In 2010, she was invited to join the Pacific Chorale Board of Directors, which she served on until her death.

"She always wanted to be the invisible hand," said her brother Frank Demond, 78, who added that in the past few weeks he's still finding out through his sister's associates the little things she did. "She never boasted, she was super honest … my dad had amazing integrity and she did, too. She would never go along with any foolishness."

During her time as mayor, she oversaw the inaugural helicopter surveillance for the city in 1970, said Jan Landstrom, who met Marshall in 1968 through the Irvine Master Chorale, which later became the Pacific Chorale. Marshall's husband, Bob, sang with the group.

She was also known for her morning swims in the bay next to her home. She loved sailing the local waters, and counted Disneyland, music and traveling as other favorites.

Marshall also received the city's Citizen of the Year award.

After her husband died in 1993, Marshall took several road trips alone.

"She would take off by herself for 11 to 12 weeks and go cross-country, visit friends, historical places, museums," Landstrom said. "She was always on a quest for more information. She enjoyed life so much … she was a great friend."

Her favorite holiday was Thanksgiving. She was known for her specialty, persimmon pudding, according to Demond.