Marilyn Joan Bolingbroke

Marilyn Joan Bolingbroke was born on August 12, 1939 in Yakima, Washington, the daughter, and only child, of Elizabeth and William Wolfe. She enjoyed a pleasant and active life growing up in Yakima with weekly Sunday dinners with relatives, dancing and ballet lessons, ice skating and roller skating.

During high school she became an accomplished pianist, was active in student government, a cheer leader, a member of the National Honor Society, led a very active social life with many friends, and graduated from Yakima High School in 1957.

She enrolled at Washington State University in September 1957 and became a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She thoroughly enjoyed sorority life and was house manager for 2 years. Again, while in college, she had a very active social life, was a member of the WSU cheer leading team and was the head cheer leader for 2 years. She majored in sociology, was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honorary society, and received her BA in 1961 (The first in her family to obtain a college degree).

She met the love of her life, Bob Bolingbroke, at a sorority/fraternity social event during her junior year. They were married in Yakima on September 16, 1961. Their first year of marriage was spent in Menlo Park, California while Bob obtained his Master in Business Administration from Stanford University.

Bob joined The Clorox Company in 1962 which resulted in a whirlwind of activities and assignments for the next 30+ years including stops in Hayward, CA (1 year), Downey, CA (1 year). Rome, Italy (4 1/2 years), Walnut Creek, CA (3 years), Valley Forge, PA (4 years), Danville, CA (18 years). They moved to Rancho Santa Fe, CA after Bob retired from Clorox and lived there for 34 years.

Marilyn worked full time for the first couple of years after her marriage, but after that she was a full time stay at home mother and housewife. While living in Rome, she became fluent in Italian and fitted in like a native Italian.

Bob and Marilyn had three daughters Deborah, Cindy (born in Italy), and Tami. Marilyn was actively involved in the lives of all three of her daughters: attending athletic, dance and school events; PTA president for a total of 10 years at 3 different schools; exciting family vacations to Hawaii (many times); Mexico (several times); various Caribbean islands (several times); Costa Rica; Europe; plus various extensive US vacations. She also was a successful behind the scenes politician acting as the campaign manager for an underdog but duly elected school board candidate Robert Bond in Danville, CA.

Marilyn was an accomplished and very shrewd shopper and received annual birthday cards from Nordstrom, Macy’s and Steinmart. She was offered a sales clerk position at Steinmart due to her savvy eye for fashion, color. and style. She also enjoyed tennis and played competitively in various leagues for 40+ years.

Marilyn was an an outgoing individual who loved life and enjoyed many friends and activities including recurring lunches. She had an infectious smile which lit up every room she ever entered. She could be outspoken at times and was never one to hide her feelings or position on current events.

She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Her volunteer service to the church included a weekly 4 hour shift at the LDS San Diego temple for 30 years: president of a local congregation women’s auxiliary for 3 years; music director for a local congregation for 20 years; a two year Church Service Mission served jointly with her husband..

Marilyn battled the ravages of Alzheimer’s for her last 5+ years, but never lost her smile or optimism. She passed away on May 29, 2026 at the age of 86. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bob, 3 daughters, and 7 grandchildren. Burial will be at El Camino Memorial Park.

A Funeral Service will be held on June 5, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at External Service Location, 1444 Lake Drive, Encinitas 92007

A Committal Service will be held on June 5, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm at External Service Location, 5600 Carroll Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92121, US.