Marilyn Lucile (Keeler) Jackson

Marilyn Lucile Dunlap-Jackson

May 21, 1926 - July 11, 2022

Marilyn was born in Marysville, California on May 21, 1926 to Herbert Franklin Keeler and Elita Beth Rich. Her father was a department chair at Yuba College and her mother a homemaker, bank teller and gardener.

Marilyn met Ed Dunlap at a summer camp and waited out the war for him to come home from the first and only mission he flew as a pilot.

Marilyn raised her four children while working as an assistant librarian in Santa Rosa secondary and high schools. She cared for her mother until her passing at 102. She loved flower gardening and her homes were always well cared for and beautiful.

She was active in the Santa Rosa Presbyterian church and her life of service included being a member of the team who put on weddings. She also loved volunteering at the Welfare League store that benefited the less fortunate in the community.

Marilyn loved music and Ed could always find her by following the sound of the radio playing big band songs. She sang in the choir and played piano which imbued both Susan and Ted with a love of music and to take up instruments of their own.

Their family enjoyed camping with a constant circle of other families through the years.

Marilyn married Bob Jackson in 2002, the year after Ted and Melissa wed. Bob showed Marilyn the world, taking her sailing and on many trips and cruises in the wonderful ten years they had together. Bob was a teacher, artist, bright spirit and life of the party who gave Marilyn some of the best years of her life. Bob’s children adopted Marilyn and loved her deeply, expanding our family.

Bob joined the Sonoma County Horizons community band as a drummer while Marilyn became the music librarian for an 80-piece band and provider of cookies at their weekly practices. At every concert they introduced her as "The Cookie Lady".

Marilyn joined Ted and Melissa Dunlap in Conner, MT in Sept 2015. Together, the threesome enjoyed many Bitterroot activities including plays, concerts, Hamilton Presbyterian church socials, volunteering at the Darby library, and Conner Friendly Gardener’s Club meetings.

Marilyn passed away peacefully at home on July 11, 2022 and leaves behind a legacy of love.

Marilyn was preceded in death by the father of her children, Edwin Veghte Dunlap who died 2011; her second husband, Robert Jackson, Santa Rosa who died 2012; her daughter, Elita Dunlap who died in 1992 and Bob’s son, Glen Jackson.

She is survived by her children, Susan Dunlap, Menlo Park, CA., Frederick Dunlap, Santa Rosa, CA., and Ted Dunlap, Darby, MT; Grandchildren, Richard Dunlap, Roy UT., Andrea Dunlap, Alameda, CA., Charlie Dunlap, Alameda, CA., Deedra Dunlap, Santa Rosa, CA.,   Michelle Mercer, Beaverton, OR., Tammy Andrews, Fernley, NV; and Bob children, Glen (deceased) & Nicki Jackson, Simi Valley, CA., Mike & Christine O’Connell, Napa, CA., Ray & Lindy Jones, Rohnert Park, CA., Ryan & Debbie Jackson, Santa Rosa, CA.