Marilyn Kurland

Sherman Oaks - Marilyn Kurland (Simon), of Sherman Oaks, CA, formerly of River Vale and Woodland Park, NJ, passed away at the age of 91 on Friday, August 15th, 2025. She was the beloved wife of the late Richard Arthur Kurland. Born in New York, NY, Marilyn grew up in the Bronx, NY, and was the daughter of the late Dorothy (Wallerstein) Simon and Max Simon. Marilyn graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in Bronx, NY at 16 years old, and attended the University of Connecticut where she graduated with a degree in English from the School of Education. While at the University of Connecticut she was active in her Phi Sigma Sigma sorority in roles as the Secretary, Historian, Co-Rush Chairman and Reporter; Hillel House where she was House Chairman her senior year; University Players; and Intramural Softball and Volleyball. Marilyn also earned Master's in Education and English from the University of Wisconsin prior to beginning her career as an English teacher in Rockland County, NY. She later became a travel agent and worked for Thomas J. Lipton Company and Unilever for 25 years before she retired as the Head of Corporate Travel. After she retired, she stayed active in Bergen County Players, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference, and as a volunteer to help local and national political candidates. Marilyn had a "family and friends are everything" mantra so the greatest joy in her life was spending time and traveling with family and friends. Marilyn leaves two sons, Barry Kurland and his wife Karyn (Kennedy) Kurland of Poland, ME, and Steven Kurland and his wife Amy (Sorkin) Kurland of Woodland, Hills, CA; six grandchildren, Sam Kurland and his wife Lindsey (Bridgham) Kurland of New Canaan, CT, Rachael Kurland of Brooklyn, NY, Sarah Kurland of Brooklyn, NY, and Kiara, Carson, and Shane Kurland of Woodland Hills, CA; and two great-grandchildren, Griffin and Owen Kurland of New Canaan, CT. Marilyn was predeceased by her sister Eveyln and her brother-in law Herbert Gilman, her sister Arlene and brother-in-law, Jack Shouel, and her parents Dorothy and Max Simon. Her funeral service was held on Thursday, August 15th, 2025, at Cedar Park Cemetery, NJ. Donations may be made in Marilyn's memory to The World Literacy Foundation, which strives to eradicate illiteracy by 2040 through its mission to ensure that every child regardless of geographic location has the opportunity to acquire literacy skills and books to reach their full potential.