Marian Mish Culpepper

CULPEPPER, Marian Mish. The extraordinary life of Marian Mish Culpepper came to a close on August 23, 2008 in Charlottesville, Va. She was born in Middlebrook, Va., on December 16, 1915 to the late Robert W.H. Mish and Ligia Botts Mish; and was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Culpepper; a sister, Margaret Mish Timberlake; a brother, Robert W.H. Mish Jr; and a son, Jay Ganong. She is survived by her son, Stuart Wentworth Ganong of Healdsburg, Calif.; granddaughters, Shannon Ganong Darling of Tuxedo Park, N.Y., and Meredith Clare Ganong of Boise, Id.; also, a niece, Jane Timberlake Helwig; and nephews, Stephen D. Timberlake V, Robert W.H. Mish III and Everett H. Mish. Mrs. Culpepper piloted her life from the hills of Lexington, Va., to the hills of San Francisco, to the excitement of L.A. and Hollywood, from opening Disneyland with Walt Disney to working with the top interior designers in the country. Her flair for "doing it up right" was her trademark and it seemed to come as easily as a flip of her infamous locks of hair. That flair appeared in the many years she spent in advertising, public relations and political campaigns and helped to transform events she planned for important fundraising causes as well, such as the Holy Family Adoption Service in Los Angeles, the John Tracy Clinic in Tustin, the City of Hope International Horse Show and the Memorial Los Angeles World Affairs Council. Mrs. Culpepper also was the editor and publisher of The Orange Book: The Social Registry of Orange Co., Ca. She worked tirelessly on numerous projects right up until her death. An autobiography was to be her next, but she was worried about naming names. A graveside service will be held at the Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 563 Bethel Green Rd., Staunton, Va. 24401, on Monday, September 1, 2008 at 10 a.m. A later service is being planned for her in Grace Cathedral in her favorite San Francisco. Friends may sign the guestbook at www.hillandwood.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.