Marie Ruby (Montoya) Conklin passed away Friday, October 21, in her beloved San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, at the age of 79.

Marie was born on June 23, 1943, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Malaquais and Lucia (Lucy) Montoya, the youngest of nine children. She graduated from Fowler High School and attended Lynn Benton Community College in Albany, Oregon.

Her life’s journey took her to northern California; Corvallis, Oregon; Tucson, Arizona; Panama City, Panama; Sisters, Oregon; and Spokane, Washington, before retiring to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Marie was a creative and talented designer and artist. Every home she lived in was filled with warmth and burst with color and stunning design. She passed this gift on to her children, Misty, Michelle, and Miche’. She loved pretty things. And if it was not pretty, she made it pretty and so inviting. In the 1980s, Marie and her husband, Frank, took a 1911 schoolhouse-turned-farmhouse and transformed it into a beautiful, and design-magazine worthy bed-and-breakfast in Sisters, known as The Conklin’s Guest House.

In addition to her creativity, she was generous and quietly poured into those around her. She opened her home to anyone and everyone. She loved Jesus and shared His love with others.

In retirement, she enjoyed feeding her koi fish in the backyard pond, and taking in the beautiful plants and flowers, just steps from her back porch. She also authored a book published in 2019 titled “Just a Thought.” Marie enjoyed art and took many classes in San Miguel.

Marie is survived by her husband of 41 years, Dr. Frank Conklin, and their children: Misty (David) Grieger of Washington; Michelle (Brian) Traina of Washington; Miche’ (Lydia) Traina of Texas; Karl (Kim) Conklin of Oregon; Karin Conklin-Freitas of California; and John Conklin of Oregon, as well as 12 grandchildren: Colby (Megan) Jones; Connor (Vanessa) Jones; Caleb Grieger; Ava Grieger; Christian Traina; Atali Traina; Kyle (Michelle) Conklin; Klaudia Freitas; Natalia Freitas (Sami) Wadood; Corey Conklin; Klarisa Freitas; and Sydney Conklin, and five great grandchildren: Jaxon Jones; Asher Jones; Charlie Jones; Lilliana Jones; and Abby Conklin.

In keeping with Marie’s wishes, there will be a small memorial service for immediate family. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in her memory to Trinity Habitat for Humanity (TrinityHabitat.org/give) in Fort Worth, Texas, as Marie valued home and family. Gifts can also be mailed to Trinity Habitat for Humanity, 9333 N. Normandale St., Fort Worth, TX 76116.