Lasting Memories

Marybelle Frank Cody
April 24, 1937-May 22, 2026
Palo Alto, California

Marybelle F. Cody, 89, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family after living with Parkinson’s disease for many years. She was born in Coronado, California on April 24, 1937 to Helen Wilkinson Frank and Naval officer Nickolas John Frank, Jr. She was predeceased by her brother, Nickolas John Frank III.

Marybelle attended Punahou High School in Hawaii, then moved to Palo Alto to attend Stanford University. At Stanford, she received a bachelor’s degree in 1958 and a master’s degree in education in 1959. Most importantly, she met the love of her life, George “Tad” Cody, as well as many lifelong friends. Marybelle and Tad married after her graduation in 1958 and they remained together until Tad’s untimely death from pancreatic cancer in 1993.

Marybelle and Tad raised three children in Palo Alto in a house designed and built by Tad. While growing up, Marybelle’s children could hear her clarion laugh from anywhere in the neighborhood. Marybelle’s friends knew her as a charming, sparkly-eyed companion, the one who would join in any proposed adventure and could put anyone at ease. After Tad’s death, she stayed in the house he built and spent her remaining years biking, hiking, sailing, traveling, folk dancing, gardening, reading, and nourishing her lifelong friendships.

Marybelle is survived by her daughters, Annie Holdren (husband Craig Holdren) of Corral de Tierra, CA and Sara Cody (husband Doug Owens) of Palo Alto, CA; her son, Jim Cody (wife Marci Cody) of Pleasant Hill, OR; and her beloved grandchildren, Maya and Makaira Holdren, Rachel and Christopher Owens, and Taya and Brenna Cody.