Marilyn Sue Haney

Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Marilyn Sue (Chapman) Haney, 87, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2025, in Indio, California, surrounded by family and love.

Born on December 4, 1937, in Texas, she chose California as her lifelong home, where she built a life filled with family, music, education, and service. She was married to her husband, Bobby Neil Haney, until his passing on November 8, 2012. Together, they raised three beautiful daughters and a wonderful son, Perry, who preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughters Malin, Cynthia (David), and Marilyn (Vance); her cherished grandchildren Kyle (Lauren), Bryan (Amber), Robert, Zoe (Octavio), Nickolai, Hannah (Hunter), and Colin; and her adored great-grandchildren Kai, Trenton, Cheyenne, Emma, Genevieve, Leo, and soon-to-arrive baby Cillian. She was deeply proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, treasuring every moment she spent celebrating their milestones and accomplishments.

Education was both her career and her calling. A graduate of San Diego State University and Pepperdine University, she devoted her life to students as a kindergarten and 8th grade history teacher, and later as vice principal of Imperial High School for ten years. Her legacy as an educator and leader continues to live on in the countless students and colleagues whose lives she touched.

Music was her lifelong joy. She played piano from childhood, directed an English Bell Choir for fifteen years, taught fifth-grade drummers for ten years, and served as pianist for Eastern Star for 35 years, where she was also a proud Worthy Matron. She was a longtime member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Methodist Church, and gave generously of her time and talents to her community.

After living in Imperial for over 50 years, she spent her final years in Indio. She enjoyed watching hummingbirds, making quilts for foster children, sewing place mats for family and friends, and the companionship of her dog, Zeela.

She will be remembered for her faith, her music, her kindness, her generosity, and her deep love for her family and community.

A graveside Celebration of Life will be held at Riverview Cemetery in Brawley, California, with date and time to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to an organization of your choice.

With love and respect, Malin, Cynthia, and Marilyn