Marilyn Carol Mendoza died peacefully in her sleep at home on Sept. 24 in Novato, CA. She was 80 years old.
She was the daughter of Donald and Florence Rolston. Her brother Donald Rolston (Barbara Uriu), preceded her in death in 2019. She is survived by husband of 40 years, Albert Mendoza, her brother Robert Rolston (Colleen) and two children, Brent Kraus (Lory) and Susi Prescott (Lynn), two grandchildren, Dakota Prescott (Jennifer) and John Dean Prescott and one great grandchild, Conner Prescott, and numerous other relatives.
Marilyn spent her first 20 years in Wyoming, including living on a 2000 acre ranch. She married Hans Kraus in 1961 and moved to El Segundo, CA. In 1972 she lived in Brussels and visited many countries before moving to Novato in 1974. She divorced.
She met Al Mendoza at a Church Singles Group. Marilyn has a daughter Susi Prescott (Lynn) and a son, Brent Kraus (Lory Dario). In 1981 they were married and she added three step-children, Michael, Peter (Jennifer) and Steve Mendoza. She took on a household of five children while also working at American Express, retiring in 1997. They have three grandchildren, Kyle Kraus, John Dean Prescott and Dakota Prescott (Jennifer) and a great grandson, Conner Prescott. Marilyn was the cohesion that melded two families together while working long hours.
She was a member of the Novato United Methodist Church and a long time Secretary there. She had been active in the Ecumenical Cursillo Movement for many years. Anyone who knew her found her as a compassionate, loving, warm and caring person who was a great listener. She endured many years of surgeries to save a leg and years of strenuous physical therapy. She always had a smile to all those who cared for her. She showed unyielding courage, strength, resilience and an incredibly positive attitude during these many years.
The family wishes to thank the many doctors and specialists, including Dr. Laura Pak who performed multiple surgeries and saved her leg so that she could live a more normal life, Dr. Khashayar Mohebali and Monica at the Kentfield Wound Center & staff, Laurel of the Kentfield Physical Therapy Dept. and several attendants in the Sutter Home Care Unit.
Marilyn managed Bobby Sox teams and was supportive of Pop Warner. Marilyn’s love for gardening was only eclipsed by her love of family and the people in her life.
A “Celebration of Life” will be held at a later date at the Novato United Methodist Church. Donations may be made to the Church at 1473 S. Novato Blvd., Novato, CA 94947 or Marin Cursillo, P. O. Box 4101, San Rafael, CA 94913-4101.
(To place a Life Tribute in Marinscope Community Newspapers, please contact Publisher Sherman R. Frederick via email at shermfrederick@gmail.com.)
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