Marilyn Pedersen, 76, died at her home in Algodones, New Mexico Sunday morning, January 4th, 2026. She was surrounded by loved ones. A gifted linguist and retired teacher, she was a devoted mother, partner, teacher, and friend.
A Wisconsin native, Marilyn discovered her lifelong passion for Spanish by chance at the University of Wisconsin. Her studies led her to Bogotá, Colombia, where she mastered the language so fluently that she could adopt regional accents with ease. She had many grand adventures while studying in South America. She eventually graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Mexico. While she enjoyed her meaningful teaching career in California and Minnesota, she found many of her joys beyond the classroom.
Marilyn was a voracious reader, a devoted supporter of Democratic causes, and an opera aficionado. In October 2025, she fulfilled a final bucket list goal when she attended a performance of Puccini's Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York with her family.
She is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Ralph Green; her daughters, Alexandra Pedersen-Green (Chris Turner) and Sonja Pedersen-Green (Alexander Isper); her granddaughter, Finley Grace Green; and her sister, Mette Pedersen. The family will hold a private service at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albuquerque on Friday, January 9th. Marilyn will be remembered as a woman of immense intellect, clever wit, enormous grace, unflinching charity and supreme kindness, she found great fulfillment in her family and helping others.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor her memory by making donations to your favorite Democratic Party candidate, the ACLU, or Placitas Wild Horses.
A Wisconsin native, Marilyn discovered her lifelong passion for Spanish by chance at the University of Wisconsin. Her studies led her to Bogotá, Colombia, where she mastered the language so fluently that she could adopt regional accents with ease. She had many grand adventures while studying in South America. She eventually graduated magna cum laude from the University of New Mexico. While she enjoyed her meaningful teaching career in California and Minnesota, she found many of her joys beyond the classroom.
Marilyn was a voracious reader, a devoted supporter of Democratic causes, and an opera aficionado. In October 2025, she fulfilled a final bucket list goal when she attended a performance of Puccini's Turandot at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York with her family.
She is survived by her husband of over 50 years, Ralph Green; her daughters, Alexandra Pedersen-Green (Chris Turner) and Sonja Pedersen-Green (Alexander Isper); her granddaughter, Finley Grace Green; and her sister, Mette Pedersen. The family will hold a private service at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Albuquerque on Friday, January 9th. Marilyn will be remembered as a woman of immense intellect, clever wit, enormous grace, unflinching charity and supreme kindness, she found great fulfillment in her family and helping others.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor her memory by making donations to your favorite Democratic Party candidate, the ACLU, or Placitas Wild Horses.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marilyn S Pedersen, please visit our flower store.
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