Marilyn Joan French

Marilyn French, mother, grandmother, artist and volunteer died peacefully on May 3rd at the age of 95.

Born on September 26, 1929, Marilyn Joan Bukowski spent her childhood in Chicago. As a teenager, she moved to Whittier, California with her family. In college, she met returning WWII Navy veteran, (Everett) Lynn French. Lynn and Marilyn were married in 1949.

In addition to raising her two children, John and Karen, Marilyn leveraged her artistic talent by colorizing photographs at Andy Cummings Studio and creating sculptures in the Laguna Beach Art Community. She was self-taught at reupholstering furniture. In 1977, she received her bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Cal State Fullerton. She was an avid painter for most of her life.

She volunteered to be a member of the Orange County Grand jury, where she was the chairperson of social services and proudly displayed her badge. She was also on the Board of the Commissioner of the City of La Habra, overseeing several projects, including the first Children’s Museum in California, as well as a pilot Child Development Program.

When not volunteering Lynn and Marilyn enjoyed weekend trips to Catalina on their Grand Banks, or cruising to Hawaii on the commercial ship, the Mattson Lurline. Regardless of the boat, Lynn and Marilyn enjoyed being out on the ocean!

After retirement, Lynn and Marilyn moved to Monterey. There, they were passionate volunteers. Marilyn would work tirelessly to make Christmas ornaments for the Festival of Trees, as well as volunteering at the Monterey Public Library. Together, Lynn and Marilyn would never miss the opportunity to help at the AT&T Tournament in Pebble Beach.

Lynn and Marilyn were also zealous golfers. While they enjoyed playing in Monterey, they embarked on a successful adventure to play golf in all 50 states!

Marilyn cherished her role as Grandmother, first to John’s son Jim, and later to Karen and Greg’s daughter, Hannah. Over the years, she would take numerous trips with the entire family to Hawaii. Holidays were always a special time, where the family came together over her famous Easter lamb cakes, or Lynn’s Christmas Glügg. Her Polish family recipe meals were always devoured!

Marilyn loved dogs and was never without one. Cinder, the cocker spaniel, Susie, the miniature poodle, Nelly, the Irish Setter, Asta, the Wire Haired Terrier, and the Smooth Hair Fox terriers, Kitty 1 and Kitty 2 all enjoyed being spoiled by Marilyn.

After Lynn’s passing in 2004, Marilyn moved into Carmel Valley Manor, where she continued to lead a busy life, taking frequent trips with the family. She enjoyed sharing her cabin with Hannah on cruises with Karen and Greg. She showed remarkable stamina when she accompanied Karen, Greg and Hannah to visit Cindy and John in Australia in 2011.

While Marilyn slowed down physically in the last year, she still enjoyed visits from the family in which she would reminisce about her life. She especially appreciated the daily visits from Karen and Greg, who ensured her well-being until the end.

Marilyn was a member of the Cathedral of San Carlos Borromeo, Monterey

Friends may honor Marilyn’s life by donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date.

Marilyn is survived by her son, John French, her daughter, Karen Barr, her son in law, Greg Barr, her daughter in law Cindy Scott, and her grandchildren, Hannah Barr and Jim French, and her granddaughter in law, Alison French.