Marylu Z. Giddings

Marylu Z. Giddings Passed away peacefully on May 14th 2012, surrounded by her loved ones at the family home in Woodacre. Born Marylu Zetterquist to Gustave and Karen on April 15, 1933. She held the rare distinction of being born at the Point Reyes Lighthouse where Gustave was the lighthouse keeper. Marylu lived her whole life in Marin County, first at the lighthouse, then as wife, mother and Postmaster extraordinaire in the hamlet of Woodacre. Her life of devotion to her friends and family, myriad of dogs and most of all her community made her an icon of stability and the go-to person to answer any questions or provide service of any kind. She was beloved by her friends and a legend for her biting wit and endless stream of gossip in her central position as a small town postmaster. Marylu was an extremely unusual modern person. She was in an airplane only once, never had a cell phone or answering devise. She never traveled east of eastern Montana. She never had a computer. Yet she bonded with young and old alike exhibiting a rare gift for listening to the stories, dispensing advice and throwing in the sarcastic overview of people she dismissed as bad actors. Marylu graduated from Tomales High School in 1950 and was shortly thereafter married to Alfred F. Giddings, at that time the new Game Warden of Marin County. They settled in Woodacre in 1951 and first child Andrew followed in 1952. Daughter Marylu K. Giddings in January 1953. Being a young mother with two small children was a task she handled easily while keeping up the family tradition of hunting and fishing. It is rumored she fired 16 shots from a 20 gauge shotgun when she was seven months pregnant with young Andrew. In 1962 Marylu began part time work at the Woodacre Post Office. She assumed the job of Postmaster in July 1965 where she reigned as unofficial Mayor of Woodacre until 1989. Her postcard display featuring the cards patrons sent to her from all over the world was a colorful and unique reminder that this was no ordinary government office. These cards led to infrequent but steady complaints about topless hula dancers and the like. She especially enjoyed the fuss over these morally outrageous expressions and refused to remove the cards until she retired. After she retired, Marylu was active in the Woodacre Improvement Club where she was a board member for over 40 years. She hunted and fished with Big Al, spending wonderful times at Webber Lake in the Sierras, and taking fall hunting trips to the Montana ranch of her stepson Al Giddings Jr. She was a devoted Giant and 49er fan. She never missed a game on T.V. Marylu was a devoted dog lover and owner and is survived by Sylvie the last in a long line of K9 companions. In addition she was the fairy godmother to all the dogs of Woodacre, with an open door policy of any dog around dropping in for a biscuit. Marylu is survived by stepson Al Giddings Jr. of Pray Montana, son Andrew Giddings and wife Judy North of San Geronimo daughter Marylu Moeckel and husband Joe Moeckel of San Anselmo, their sons Andy and Nick of Petaluma and a multitude of step grandchildren. A memorial honoring and celebrating her life will be held at the Woodacre Improvement Club on June 2nd 2012, 2:00-5:00 PM. Please bring side dishes for potluck. Donations in her memory may be made to In Spirit PO Box 384, Woodacre, CA 94973; Woodacre Garden Club PO Box 914 Woodacre, CA 94973; and Valley Toys for Joy PO Box 496 Woodacre, CA 94973.