Marilyn Eugenia Kelly

A memorial service for Marilyn will be held Friday, January 27, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Gates, Kingsley & Gates Smith Salsbury Funeral Directors, 4220 South Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230.

All are welcome to attend. Colorful attire and blue nail polish are encouraged. Masks are required (and will be provided). If you are unable to attend, you may view the memorial electronically via the link below

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89946339298?pwd=emszS0pwc0U1dFl4bXNUVDNSMlYxUT09

(If you choose this option, it is recommended that you log in at least 10 minutes early to allow for technical difficulties.)

A few words about Marilyn...

Marilyn was born on July 30th, 1931 in Newark, New Jersey. She started life as a true Jersey Girl. She was born to an Austrian Jewish father and an Italian Catholic mother. She adored her parents Ann and Al Winter. She learned her superb cooking skills from her mother, and idolized her father for his kindness. She had an older ½ brother, Seymour, who was a character, just like her.

Growing up on the Jersey shore, the house at 318 Asbury Ave became a home for boarders and beach goers alike. She must have got her wanderlust from those experiences. After attending Allegheny College and New Jersey Teachers College, she taught elementary school in New Jersey for a year and a half.

In the winter of 1955 Marilyn had had enough of the east coast winters and followed her parents to Los Angeles, California. She taught for a few years more while attending college again for math studies. The aerospace industry was booming in California and Marilyn was able to secure a position at The Marquardt Company and later, Lockheed. She was one of the first salaried females in the aerospace engineering profession and worked on many famous projects like the Apollo Moon Missions and the Space Shuttles.

Marilyn loved cooking, bowling, camping, swimming, sunbathing, skiing, and even fishing. Her favorite place was the beach…any beach! She married James W. Kelly (deceased) and had two children Marie and Michael. She took a few years off to raise her kids and then went back to work at The Marquardt Company.

After retirement, she traveled throughout the country and around the world. She loved everything about traveling and volunteered for Travelers Aid at LAX airport for over 30 years directing lost travelers.

Always civic minded, Marilyn also worked/volunteered as a census worker, a poll supervisor, and a docent jury coordinator. She loved animals and the environment and regularly donated to these causes. In addition to these interests, she was a regular participant in Al Anon and met many great friends there.

Marilyn loved her east coast side of the family and always stayed connected with frequent visits. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her granddaughter Delphine. During her retirement years, Marilyn met Max Diamond, who would become her best friend, boyfriend, and travel companion.

She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.