August 11, 2004

Obituary - Marylinda Wheeler

Marylinda Wheeler, 67, beloved sister, aunt and friend, passed away at home on Friday, August 6, 2004 in Los Osos.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 13, 11a.m.at Morro Bay Presbyterian Church. An internment service will be held Monday, August 16, 11a.m in Chester, CA.

Marylinda was born on November 25,1936 in Martinez, CA. The family home was at the Contra Costa Country Club in Pleasant Hill. Marylinda recalled the beautiful view from home looking towards Mt. Diablo. She described it as “A wonderful place to grow up”. She and her twin brothers spent many hours hiking, playing, and sleeping under the stars in this beautiful country. Marylinda noted an important change in family life when they discovered the church community at First Presbyterian Church in Walnut Creek. This led to treasured memories of summer youth camps at Mt. Hermon Christian Conference Center near Santa Cruz. Her parents instilled a strong sense of love, confidence, industriousness and courtesy to others. Marylinda practiced these attributes throughout her life.

She received a BA, MA in education, and teaching credential at Stanford University in 1959. She returned for a PhD from the University of Utah in 1979. Her first teaching assignment was in Greeneville, CA. This led to her discovery of the beautiful Lake Almanor area that would become the destination of extended family and friends vacations for years to come. Her next job took her overseas with the Department of Defense. She taught for 8 years in Germany, Japan and the Philippines. In returning to the US she served as Dean of Students at Dominican College. In 1975 she began a long career at Cal Poly SLO where she taught physical education and coordinated the PE teacher trainer program.

Marylinda loved spending time with family and friends, traveling and staying physical active. She thoroughly enjoyed the retirement years, and spent them at the family cabin, going on trips and pursuing her genealogy work. She was diagnosed with cancer in 1988. Her disciplined approach to faith and life, and her indomitable optimism allowed her to continue to live life bravely and fully.

She is survived by her brother and his wife, Grant and Larry Wheeler, sister-in-law, Joanie Wheeler, 3 nieces, 1 nephew, 4 grandnieces and 2 grandnephews who celebrate her new life, but will miss her very much. 

Marylinda requested in lieu of flowers, contributions could be made to “Mt. Hermon Association Camp Scholarship Fund, in memory of Marylinda Wheeler.:

Address is Mt Hermon Association Camp, P.O. Box 413, Mt. Hermon, CA 95041.   

Submitted by Karen Schwalbach, Ph # 805 528 7353