Marianne Gaba Starkman

1939 - 2016

November 13, 1939 - May 3, 2016 After courageously battling a brain tumor for several years our beautiful Marianne finally succumbed with her loving family at her bedside. Marianne was raised in Chicago by her parents Frank Gaba, a mailman, and her mother Marie, a factory worker. Marianne was chosen Miss Illinois in 1959...soon after she came to California for The Miss Universe Pageant and became a finalist...she then entered USC and was selected Helen of Troy. She appeared in films with stars such as Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Glen Ford and Jerry Lewis. She was on tour with Johnny Grant during the Korean War. In Sept.1959 Marianne became a Playboy centerfold. In 1960 she met her future husband Mike Starkman at State Beach. They were engaged in a week, and married in a month, a romance that lasted 56 years. Marianne became proficient in photography, loved nature and her garden. She loved her pets so much. She will be greatly missed by her loving husband Mike, her children Greg, Wendy, her son-in-law James Rothstein and her grandchildren Chloe and Rex. Every time we see a beautiful flower we will always think of our beautiful Marianne..."You will be in our hearts forever." A special thanks to our wonderful caregivers Aura and Gemma. * Services Private *