OLGA MARLIN

Olga Marlin – a life supporting the dignity of African women through education On January 5, 2025, shortly after her 90th birthday, Olga Marlin passed away in Nairobi, where she spent most of her life, working to educate and improve the lives of African women via the Kianda Foundation, a not-for-profit organization which she and three colleagues in Opus Dei founded in 1961. Born in New York City 1934 to artist/author Hilda van Stockum and UN official (ICAO, Montreal) Ervin "Spike" Marlin, she was big sister to Brigid, Randal, Sheila, John and Elisabeth. She joined Opus Dei while a student in Ireland and was sent to Kenya at 25 by St. Josemaría Escriva with a mission to improve the educational opportunities of African women. How she set about this, starting with multiracial Kianda Secretarial College in 1961, she describes in her book, To Africa with a Dream. Her legacy includes Kianda School, one of the top schools in Kenya. Olga's contribution to education in Africa was recognised in 2011 with an honorary doctorate from Strathmore University. Olga touched the lives of many people, impressing everyone with her warmth, courage, dignity, and faith.