Marilyn June Quist

Born Marilyn June O’Meara to Allan and Frances O’Meara on August 14, 1931 in Evanston, Illinois. Allan worked as an accountant in downtown Chicago with Partridge & Anderson, a prominent accounting firm. Frances was previously married to Herbert Darrah who died in his thirties. Frances had a son, Richard, with him. Marilyn was very close to her brother their entire lives. When Marilyn was age 10, the family moved to Florida. Frances and Allan divorced and Frances moved with Richard and Marilyn to Southern California when Marilyn was age 15. They settled in North Hollywood and Frances bought a home on Wortser Street.

Marilyn graduated from North Hollywood High School and then attended USC. She developed wonderful lifelong friendships there including her dearest friends, Patty Silvera, Joan Denny, Snook Davis and Marion Demerjian. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and was a very active Tridelt at USC with formal dances, dating, parties and football. She was nicknamed Twinkle or Twink because of her sparkling personality. Marilyn graduated with a Bachelors Degree in English.

Marilyn met her future husband, Bud Quist on a ski trip in Mammoth, CA. She had fallen down while skiing and Bud stopped to help her up! Bud and Marilyn were married on March 23, 1957 in Palm Springs, CA and settled in Orange, CA. They had three children: Julie, Tina and Rick. Marilyn and Bud were active socially, attended church and enjoyed many family vacations. They loved entertaining, especially with Carl & Britta Acklerland, John & Eva Van, Bob & Betty Millhouse and Jerry & Irene Wetterborg. Marilyn and Bud divorced in 1975.

Marilyn’s career included substitute teaching, school counseling and eventually Interior Design - decorating models for the William Lyon Company. Marilyn developed close friendships with Pat and Lou Glassbrenner, Lee McPeak, Eva Van, Mary Potenzo and Hope Pritchard. She was always active in tennis, roller skating, ping pong and power walking. She loved Sunday brunches, watching football, music, dancing, decorating, fashion and family. Marilyn had an amazing sense of humor, and was always smiling and laughing. She was often the recipient of many pranks by her mischievous grand-daughters, Christa and Lauren!

Marilyn was immersed in her Christian faith and loved the Lord with all her heart. She was very active in her Christian church. She volunteered at the Orange County Rescue Mission, where she served meals and donated money. She also volunteered at Trinity Broadcast Network (TBN) as a prayer counselor.

In 1998, Marilyn met her second husband, Richard Engler, at Waters Restaurant in Irvine at a singles event. Marilyn and Rich were married in 2000 and moved to Laguna Woods where they happily resided together. She became a champion table tennis player in Laguna Woods and was dubbed “the Queen of Ping Pong”!

Marilyn is survived by her three children: Julie Orr (Jimmy), Christine Sweeney (Chris), Richard Quist (Maura); five beautiful grandchildren; Christa Burrows (Adam), Laurinda Frederick (Aiko), Cara Sweeney, Reid and Kendall Quist; and three wonderful great grandchildren; Noah, Gavin and Hannah Burrows. She is preceded in death by her cherished brother, Richard Darrah and her beloved husband, Richard Engler. Marilyn will be remembered for her genuine warmth, devotion to God & charity, her amazing quick wit and her love for family and friends.