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Marian Marsh Henderson Passes Away

Marion Marsh Henderson, the widow of aviation pioneer and founder of the National Air Races, Clifford Henderson, died of natural causes in her home Thursday, November 9, 2006. She was 93. Born Violet Ethelred Krauth on the island of Trinidad, she moved to California during World War I with her mother and three siblings. She appeared in more than 40 motion pictures, but was best known as actress Marian Marsh, the doll-faced 1930s film star who played the teen milkmaid Trilby mesmerized by John Barrymore in "Svengali." In 1960, she married Clifford Henderson, who had begun developing Palm Desert, California in the late 1940's. She first met Clifford Henderson while appearing as a guest star with Mary Pickford and Jimmy Stewart at the 1937 National Air Races in Cleveland. She was a champion of aviation, participating in many aviation groups such as The Hump Pilots Association, the Aviation Breakfast Club and the OX5 Clubs. She was on the Advisory Committee of the International Women's Air & Space Museum, Inc.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, November 16 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 43775 Deep Canyon Road, and Palm Desert. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to the Historical Society of Palm Desert, P.O. Box 77, Palm Desert, CA 92261 .