Grandmother, public servant, longtime Claremont resident 

Longtime community member Marilyn Hazel Engelke, 79, died in the early morning hours of December 1 in Pomona after a brief hospitalization for sudden heart failure. She was described by family as a “devoted grandmother, mother and community member.”

Born in 1945 in Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley, Marilyn was a longtime resident of Claremont, where she flourished from her high school years through retirement. Her family described her life as “a tapestry of devotion to family, vibrant creativity, and steadfast service. Despite disabilities in recent years, she thrived most sharing kindness with others.”

Her family was her pride and joy. She is survived by her loving son John Engelke, 55, a mission software engineer at Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory; grandson Liam, 13; and daughter-in-law Mimi, 50, a physician specialist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

“Marilyn’s bond with John was especially close; his unwavering support during her retirement and health challenges was a testament to the enduring love they shared,” her family added. “A woman of refined tastes, Marilyn had a lifelong passion for the beauty of nature and the arts.” She found delight in flowers of vivid red and pink hues, expressing her love for floristry and Victorian design through painting and community classes. She was equally enchanted by the precision and elegance of Japanese calligraphy, spending countless hours practicing the intricate brushstrokes of Shuji masters.

She spent more than two decades as a stenographer for Los Angeles County’s health, public health and sheriff departments, where her “dedication, meticulous work and commitment left an indelible mark,” her son wrote. She was a member of the Service Employees International Union, and the Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association, reflecting her “deep respect and pride for community and the labor movement,” he added.

In later years, she was a “beacon of warmth and cheer” at the Joslyn Senior Center in Claremont and at her temporary care community in Glendora, her family said. She was a parishioner, both at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Claremont and later at St. Dorothy’s in Glendora, “where she regularly centered her faith with prayer, adoration and devotion,” her family added.

“Known for her generous spirit and love of holiday celebrations — especially Christmas — she brought joy to those around her with kindness and festive enthusiasm,” her family said. “Marilyn’s life was a testament to resilience, creativity, and love. She will be remembered for her artistic spirit, enduring kindness, and the indelible legacy she leaves in the hearts of her family and all who knew her — both as friends and simple acquaintances.”

A service to honor her life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 12, at Oak Park Cemetery, 410 Sycamore Ave., Claremont, CA 91711. An 8 a.m. memorial Mass and offering of prayers will precede the graveside service at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 435 N. Berkeley Ave., Claremont, CA 91711.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in her name to the Claremont Forum at claremontforum.org, for its support of the Claremont Farmers and Artisans Market, which provides fresh floristry to the community at large.