Marilyn Ada Olsen

Marilyn Ada Olsen, daughter of Elwood and Ellen Tree Olsen, died at 84 on December 5th, 2023 in La Jolla, California after a protracted illness. Born and raised in San Francisco, she earned her bachelor’s degree at UC Berkeley and her Masters at the University of the Americas in Mexico City. Marilyn received her Ph.D. in Spanish from the Univ. of Wisconsin at Madison, and her thesis was on Don Quixote. She directed the second-year language course at the University of Nebraska, and taught Modern Spanish Literature, Civilization, and graduate level Spanish grammar, later teaching at Kent State.

After moving to San Diego, she ardently worked pro bono to provide translation legal services for the poor, receiving the Wiley W. Manuel award for her efforts. She also worked for a congressman.

Marilyn was athletic and loved to swim, hike and travel. She was witty, interesting, and ready for all adventures. As a teen, Marilyn rode horses, and as an adult had a beloved German Shepard named Arthur. Marilyn is survived by her sister Nancy Heilbron and her two nieces, Lauren Rubin and Ellen Schubach.

A memorial service for Marilyn will be held Saturday, January 20, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Pacific Beach – La Jolla Chapel, 4710 Cass Street, San Diego, CA 92109.