Marilyn Alice Finton

MARILYN ALICE FINTON (nee Tilton) While at home on Tuesday, March 18, 2003, Marilyn Alice Finton passed away peacefully with family at her side. She succumbed to a short battle with liver cancer. Marilyn was the daughter of Albert and Marie Tilton, and was born in Chicago, Illnois. She attended Niles Township High School; Northwestern University, where she received a B.S. in Performing Arts, English and Secondary Education; California State University, where she received an M.A. in Administration and Supervision of Elementary and Secondary Schools; and the University of Southern California. As a young adult, Marilyn took advantage of her outgoing nature and wonderful voice to perform as a jazz vocalist. She performed on the CBS Radio Show twice daily out of Cincinnati, was a lead voice with the Singing Winds quartet, recorded with Ralph Flanagan and his Orchestra, and toured with Horace Hiedt's road troupe. In the 1960's, Marilyn and her husband John P. Finton moved to Pasadena, where she has lived ever since. About this time, she gave up singing professionally and turned to teaching. She was a Master Teacher in the San Marino Unified Schoo l District, where she taught fifth grade at K.L. Carver Elementary School until her retirement. She continued to teach summer school there until this past year. During her career, she received the Golden Nugget Award and Teacher of the Year Award from Verdugo Hills, awards which are given to those who have shown outstanding service to the school. She was especially proud to have been selected by the Japan Business Association of Southern California's Educator Program for a cultural exchange tour in Japan. She was selected in gratitude for her untiring service to non-English speaking Japanese students. While at K.L. Carver, she established the Notable Book Award program for fifth graders, which awards a trophy to students who read twenty five exceptional books in children's literature. She also established the Oral Language Program, which awards a certificate to students who present fifteen speeches, and a trophy to those who present twenty. Through these programs, Marilyn's teaching legacy will live on. Ma rily also sat on the Board of Directors of the San Marino Guild of the Huntington Memorial Hospital. She helped organize their Celebrity Series and she led maternity tours for expectant parents. Marilyn was especially fond of singing, dancing, travel, and hosting parties for numerous friends. She was always willing whenever the possibility of adventure arose. We will dearly miss her great energy and helpful fun loving spirit. Marilyn is survived by John P. Finton; her son, John J. Finton, his wife, Victor ia and their sons, Austin Philip, age 7, and Trey Lawrence age 4; and her daughter, Mary C. Prisbrey, and her huband Jeffery, and their son, Hunter Piers age 3. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2003, at 3:00 P.M. at Douglass & Zook Mortuary at 600 East Foothill Blvd., Monrovia. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the K.L. Carver Notable Book Program, K.L. Carver Elementary School, 3100 Huntington Drive, San Marino, California, 91108. DOUGLASS & ZOOK MORTUARY, Directors.