Marilyn M. Von Berg

2/7/1924-11/9/2019

Born in Paso Robles, Marilyn grew up in Santa Rosa. She graduated from UC Berkeley, Phi Beta Kappa, in Business Administration. While there, she met her future husband, a dentist, an ensign in the Navy, Dr. John Von Berg. They were married just before he left to serve in the Pacific during WWII.

When he returned, Marilyn and John moved to Charles City, Iowa, where they joined his father, also a dentist, but California beckoned them back, and they established their first practice in Palo Alto. Marilyn decided to go the San Jose State where she earned a Teaching Credential in history with a minor in economics.

As the Bay Area grew and became more populated, they decided to move to the Carmel Valley where they established a new dental practice. Eventually their daughter Pam and her husband Steve, also a dentist, joined the practice. Dr. John Von Berg passed away in 2006.

Marilyn was an active member of the Baha’i Faith, a member of the League of Women Voters, the United Nations Association, and the Institute for the Healing of Racism, the Coalition of Minority Organizations and the National Coalition Building Institute. For many years, she tutored elementary school children in the Monterey Library’s After School Program. She & John were highly respected in many circles.

Marilyn and John traveled extensively on behalf of the Baha’i Faith. They served in India, Siberia, Northern Ireland, Belarus, Croatia and Slovenia. They worked with local Baha’is to teach the principles of the Baha’i Faith and practiced methods to eliminate prejudice.

Marilyn is survived by her children, Dr. Marc Von Berg, Eric Von Berg, Pam Austin and Kim Von Berg; four children; nine grandchildren & one great-grandchild. The family would like to thank all the caregivers, and especially her latest caregivers at Close to Home, Heartland Hospice and Irma for their loving care in Marilyn’s declining years. With their help, she smiled and looked her best every day.

Any donations in her memory can be made to UNICEF USA, 125 Maiden Lane, NY, NY, 10038. The Celebration of Marilyn’s life was held at the gravesite in Monterey as she was laid next to her beloved husband, John.