Marilyn Joyce Giordano

On May 25, 2023, Marilyn Giordano passed away at the age of 84. Born in Wyckoff, Minnesota, Marilyn was the eldest of five children of John and Evelyn Giordano. She became a permanent Sacramento resident when the family moved to California in 1951. After graduating from El Camino High School, she obtained an Associate Degree in Nursing and pursued a career at American River Hospital. She truly enjoyed caring for patients, and was able to parlay the knowledge she garnered as a nurse into being a caregiver for her mother for many years prior to her passing.

Her true passion though was horses, whether it was training, showing or riding. After her nursing career came to an end, she established an equestrian training and boarding business, where she worked with people of all ages and abilities to learn the joy of riding and caring for a horse. Whether it was a therapy session with a disabled adult, or a young person with a dream of riding in a competitive equestrian arena, she extended endless patience in helping her students reach a higher level of confidence in themselves. Many of those people became lifelong friends.

As a devoted Catholic, Marilyn was actively involved with the Our Lady of Lourdes parish for many years, often baking dozens of cookies and treats for various fundraisers throughout the year. She also volunteered for the church’s weekly food distribution as often as she could. Her faith sustained her during the many difficult times life brings and she said prayers daily for the health and wellness of others around her.

She is survived by sisters, Judith Babcock, Joan Delikat and Patsy Phillips. She is pre-deceased by her only brother, Michael Giordano. Marilyn’s siblings and their children provided her with many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews to enjoy throughout the years. She will be fondly remembered and missed by her longtime friend and roommate, Lynn Whitman.

A mass will be held in Marilyn’s honor on Friday, June 16, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1951 North Avenue, Sacramento. A celebration of life will be held in the church hall directly after the mass.