Marilyn Smith Gamble

Marilyn Gamble’s Family mourns her passing on December 22. She passed away peacefully at the age of 87, surrounded by her family at her home in Monterey, California. She was born in Seattle, Washington to Lawrence K. Smith and Esther Nordstrom Smith and had two brothers, David and Lawrence Smith. She was raised in Seattle, attended Helen Bush School, then graduated from Stanford University where she met her husband, Don Gamble. They were married in 1949, and they made their home in Wayzata, Minnesota, where they raised their three children, Kim, Don, and Larry on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. Marilyn loved cooking and entertaining. Her home was always unlocked and her kitchen always open to nourish and imbibe her many friends and family. Marilyn was the first woman to serve as a director of the Minnetonka Yacht Club. She was active in the Minneapolis Symphony, Saint Martin’s by the Lake Church, the Garden club and playing tennis. In 1997, Marilyn and Don built a home on the shores of Monterey Bay close to their grandchildren. Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Kim, and her husband, Harry Aldrich, and their children, Duncan,(Stacie) Alex,(Stephanie) and Ben; Her son, Don III, and his son, Nicolas, and her son, Larry and his wife, Marigrace and their children, Grace and Kimberly. She is also survived by 4 great grandchildren, Trevor, Halie, Simon, and her namesake, Marilyn. Marilyn lived by the words, “Live Simply, Love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and leave the rest to God.” All those who knew her recognized that she embraced these sentiments. Mama Mare, also known as Grandma Beach, will be truly missed. Services to celebrate Marilyn’s life on Monday, December 30 at 10:30 at Saint Mary’s by-the-Sea Church in Pacific Grove, Ca. In Lieu of flowers, charitable gifts can be made to Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula.