Brown, Marilynn

Marilynn Brown A lifelong California resident passed away at her 
home in Santa Cruz at the age of 86 on Sept 6th, 2010. She was 
born Dec 28th, 1923 in Oakland, California, the much loved only 
child of Bruce and Vivian McCollum. She graduated from 
Piedmont High School, attended Pomona College and, after the 
interruptions of war, marriage and the births of two children, 
graduated with her husband, George, from the University of 
Texas in 1954. She is survived by her beloved husband of 66 
years, George B. Brown, Jr. whom she married on her 21st 
birthday in December 1944. George and Marilynn met at a Camp 
Curry dance in Yosemite during the summer of 1941 where, 
after their first few dances, she confided in her girlfriends, 
Louise and Betty that "I have just met the man I'm going to 
marry." For over 60 years , George and Marilynn made the 
pilgrimage back to Yosemite almost every year (always taking a 
picture by the spot where they met) to enjoy each other in the 
place they cherished as the most beautiful and special on earth. 
Marilynn is also mourned by the remainder of her loving 
immediate family; her son, George B. Brown, III; her daughter, 
Valerie Ortega; her son-in-law Gerard Ortega; her 
granddaughter, Liv Hassett and her husband, Jim; and her much 
loved great-grandchildren, her namesake, Marilynn, Rosalie, and 
Braden. George and Marilynn moved permanently to Santa Cruz 
in the late 1970's embracing the community she so loved and 
they in turn embraced her. In her later years, Marilynn was a 
proud member of the Silver Dolphin Swim Club and was 
particularly cherished by her friends there. Marilynn leaves 
behind her a legacy of love for family and devotion to a life-long 
circle of friends both old and new. She was truly beautiful both 
inside and out and touched the lives of all who were privileged 
to know her. At her request, there will be no Memorial Service 
but donations in her name to the Hospice of Santa Cruz County 
will be gratefully appreciated. 

Published in San Francisco Chronicle on September 13, 2010