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 Marilyn Gates Harris died in the arms of her husband at home on March 24, 2016, following a 30-month battle with colorectal cancer. She was born January 24, 1942 and raised in South Pasadena where she began dating her future husband, James Harris '59, in junior high school.
Following her graduation from Occidental College, they were married in Arcadia in 1963, after which she began a four year career teaching sixth grade in San Bruno. She and Jim lived in San Francisco while he attended UCSF Medical School. During the years of further training they lived in Portland, Oregon, San Francisco again, Madison, Wisconsin, and Frankfurt, Germany. Following Jim's discharge from the Army Medical Corps, they settled in Santa Rosa, where they have resided since 1976.
Marilyn served as a PTA president, a Girl Scout leader, a Hospice caregiver, and as a docent trainer at the Luther Burbank Home and Garden. Once she became an empty nester, she worked many years helping her husband at what has become the Eye Care Institute. Marilyn is survived by her loving husband, James; their two daughters, Lisa West of Everett, Washington, and Traci Harris; as well as by their granddaughters, Stephanie and Sarah West; and her brother, Roger Gates (SPHS '61) of Pasadena.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat, April 1, 2016
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Wendy Pollock (Cusick) (1959)
It's been a long journey since kindergarten at Oneonta School - brownies, birthday parties, slumber parties, Tigerettes, football games..... oh such good memoies. You were one of my forever friends though our paths did not corss these past years. The good friendship annd shared times growing up will stay dear to my heart. My love and support goes to Jim and your family. Wendy
Jesse Mortensen (1959)
I remember Marilyn from So Pas at Oneonta and both the Jr and Sr Highs. I always thought of her as an intelligent, good looking girl with high morals and lofty goals. My condolences to Marilyn's entire family.
-Jess Mortensen
Barbara Kuhlman (Griffin) (1959)
When the alumni newsletter arrived, to see the passing of Marilyn brought me a feeling of great sadness and floods of memories. Marilyn and I grew up together on Marengo Avenue and were best friends during elementary school. I would walk to Marilyn's house each morning and we would then walk together to Oneonta School. I especially remember with fondness her loving parents and her beloved "Gammy" and bedeviling Roger.
My thoughts and prayers are with Jim and your girls. I could write pages of my memories of our childhood, all with love.
Nathaniel Hummel (1961)
I probably "met" Marilyn as I was a 10th grader (class of '61) but I don't recall, for sure. I just wanted to wish her husband Jim peace.
Jim, my own wife of 40 years and 4+ years of pre-marriage dating passed away around the same time (4/18/16) as your wife. FWIW, as I'm sure you know, at first it's both sad and perhaps accopanied by a feeling of almost unreality. At this point it's been just over a year since I lost my love of 44 years and you lost yours.
While recalling the loss may always bring a tear to your eye, as it is with me as I type this... as more time passes the tears will sting somewhat less and you, hopefully, will find some peace in being thankful for whatever time you had with the love of your life... and what time is coming to you.
In my thoughts and Peace to you... Nathaniel Hummel, Class of 1961