Marilyn Dietrick
July 10, 1936 - Aug. 6, 2018

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Marilyn Frances Dietrick passed away at home on Aug 6.

Born Marilyn Hawkins in Long Beach, Calif., she grew up in San Diego.

Flag twirler, Red Cross-certified lifeguard, synchronized swimmer, beauty queen, Marilyn had a love of lakes, rivers and especially the ocean her entire life.

She met her future husband while at junior college, and married Bruce Dietrick in the charming, but sweltering, Little Chapel of the Roses on Sept. 1. The unlit candles were melting, Bruce was a bit of a wreck and Marilyn was the quintessential beautiful bride!

They left on a quickie honeymoon up the California coast, that ended up in her in-laws’ garage because Bruce did not make reservations on Labor Day weekend. He loved to be spontaneous and Marilyn loved a plan, and they made that work for 55 years.

They worked as a team in many ventures, including managing a ski lodge on Mammoth Mountain, a gas station/beer bar in Clearlake, raising children and many quirky and wonderful pets.

Marilyn especially loved helping children with learning disabilities to read, and was a teacher's aide in a two-room elementary school in Mt. Charleston, at a boys’ reformatory way up (over 8,500 feet) in the southern Nevada mountains and later in Clearlake.

Marilyn loved to snow ski, water ski, ride horses, swim, read and paint. She loved her kids, grandkids, great-grandkids. She loved animals, her husband, her many wonderful friends.

Every outing with Bruce was an adventure, camping in an old station wagon, a Sunday drive, sailing on a tall ship, trips up the coast in their RV.

Marilyn was vibrant, smart, funny, occasionally irreverent, she loved to laugh and was a joy to be around.

Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, Bruce, and son, Scott.

She leaves behind her daughter, Denise; grandson, Michael (Nikki) Dietrick; granddaughter, Jennifer Dietrick; great-grandchildren, Scottie Mae, Conor, Riley Ann and new baby Stephen, who she didn't get to meet; her brother, Warren (Deb) Hawkins; sister-in-law, Shirley Dietrick; nieces and nephews; and beloved friends and caregivers.

No services at this time.

Care and Arrangements entrusted with Jones and Lewis CLMC FD#800, www.jonesandlewischapel.com, 707-994-6417.