Marilyn Hatfield

Marilyn Hatfield 1926 - March 14, 2014   Marilyn Jean Hatfield lived life to the fullest until Friday, March 14, 2014.  Born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1926, Marilyn came to California via the world.  As a child, Marilyn spent two years in Kenya, Africa where her father was one of the first international representatives for General Motors, where her brother was born, and where, at one point, she even had a pet lion cub! Her youth also included time in England and Hawaii.  After returning to the States, Marilyn was raised in Santa Monica, attending Samohi (Santa Monica High School). While majoring in French at UCLA and working at the bookstore, she met her future husband, Clay Hatfield, with whom she had three children. They spent two years in Maryland, during which time Clay worked at Fort Detrick in biological sciences. The family moved to Pismo Beach in 1955. She thoroughly delighted in her home and gardens overlooking the ocean and hills. Later, yearning to travel yet again, the family spent a year in Argentina where her husband, a professor of microbiology at Cal Poly, was on sabbatical doing research for the World Health Organization. Marilyn relished her work as a librarian and at St. Patrick's and other south county schools with her ESL students and as a librarian. In addition, she enjoyed attending various South County spiritual centers and attending the Democratic Club. A life-long lover of horses, Marilyn owned several part-Arabians over the years which she kept for some time next to the Price Canyon Adobe. She had many other interests and talents which included being a Master Gardener, a member of the local botanical garden, an usher for the Performing Arts Center, and having a world traveler's spirit  (with a special affinity for Latin American ethnic art and music). She was also a collector of books, a flower arranger, a Greek and Middle Eastern folk dancer, and a life-long learner of Spanish.  A very independent and unconventional woman, she had a wonderful sense of humor and loved sharing jokes. Also a thoughtful and generous person, she always remembered birthdays and special occasions with a personal greeting. She delighted in spending time with her family and grandchildren as well as her many friends.  Although always nostalgic for her Pismo hillside home, she also adjusted to and enjoyed the last period of her life living at a senior living facility in San Luis Obispo where she met many wonderful people. Surviving Marilyn are her three children: Wendy Hatfield of Woodland, Lisa Monet (Rick St.Charles) of Eureka and Brian Hatfield of Pismo Beach; three grandchildren: Matthew St.Charles-Monet (Claire Bent), Genevieve St.Charles-Monet and Noah Hatfield; nephews Bruce Carde (Sharon) of Idaho, Kenji/Ed Jestes (Linda) of Redding and Jorge Jestes (Kari) of Sacramento. Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband Clay; sister Gwen Carde; and brother Edward Jestes. Marilyn's children are planning a Celebration of Life for her at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, June 28, 2014, at The Villages, 55 Broad Street, SLO. Her many friends are invited and  welcome! If you have questions, please call 805-773-2282. In lieu of flowers, please make a tax deductible donation in Marilyn's name to one of her heartfelt concerns: the Pismo Preserve project of The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo.  Contact: Wende David: 805-544-9096 or www.lcslo.org