Marilyn Estes Clark, 86, of La Cañada and Newport Beach, California, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 5, 2024.
Marilyn was born in El Reno, Oklahoma, on December 10, 1937, to Eugene Earl Estes and Idamae Florence Russ Estes. Her family lived on a farm in El Reno, where Marilyn developed a love for animals and learned the value of hard work. Her father died suddenly of a heart attack when she was 16 years old, leaving Marilyn, her mother and her younger brother Jerry to keep the farm running.
Marilyn graduated from El Reno High School in 1955 and moved to Oklahoma City where she went to finishing school and worked part time for a local modeling agency. She was set up on a blind date by mutual friends with Val Clark who was serving in El Reno for two years with the U.S. Public Health Service. It was love at first sight. Val and Marilyn were married a couple years later on July 19, 1960, in Cedar City, Utah.
Marilyn and Val moved to La Canada in 1966 and raised their two children Cray and Cam there. She had impeccable taste and style and worked for more than 40 years as a runway model. Marilyn loved her family and her friends and was a friend to everyone she met. She enjoyed tending to her beautiful rose gardens and loved everything about home décor. She had a passion for collecting antiques and made every place she lived inviting and magical. Marilyn loved to travel the world and always said yes to an adventure. From Albania to India, Marilyn was eager to see the world and all it had to offer.
Marilyn was involved in the Decorative Arts Society of Orange County a charitable organization that gives generously to people in need. Marilyn and Val were also strong supporters of his alma maters Southern Utah University and University of Southern California. Together Marilyn and Val loved to sail, windsurf, go on bike trips with friends and travel the world. Marilyn had a strong optimism for life even when her recent years proved to be physically and emotionally very difficult.
Marilyn is survived by her two children: son Crayton Val Clark (Jeannie) and daughter Camdon Clark Eberhardt (Greg). Her grandchildren: Brynne Eberhardt and Kendall Eberhardt, Katie Clark LeMone (Cooper) and Daniel Clark. She is also survived by her brother Jerry Estes (Kaye). Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Dr. E. Val Clark.
Marilyn will be laid to rest in Cedar City, Utah, next to her husband Val.
