Marilyn Colleen Smolich

1934 - 2024

Marilyn Colleen Smolich

December 7, 1934 - November 15, 2024

Carmichael, California - Marilyn (Anderson) Smolich, a generous and kind woman, passed away on November 15, 2024. Marilyn was born December 7, 1934, in South Dakota. She and her family moved to Sacramento when she was two years old. She remained in Sacramento and graduated from St. Josephs's High School in 1952 and later from American River Junior College.

After high school Marilyn worked for the Sacramento State College Athletics Department. She left that job when she married Andy Smolich and moved to Gelnhausen, Germany, where Andy was stationed as a lieutenant in the US Army. They welcomed their daughter Terry while serving in Germany.

After the family returned to Sacramento, they welcomed their second child, Jim, in 1959. Andy was working as an insurance adjuster, and he attended night law school starting in 1961. Finances required Marilyn to return to work, and she was employed as a committee secretary for the California State Legislature.

In 1965 Rob was born, Andy became an attorney, and Marilyn returned to being a full-time mom.

Marilyn and Andy co-founded Lincoln Law School of Sacramento in 1969. Marilyn became the financial officer and primary administrator of Lincoln Law School in 1985. She remembered the financial stress she experienced when raising a family and having a spouse attend law school, so she always placed a strong focus on keeping tuition low so others could benefit from a quality legal education.

For 25 years Marilyn enjoyed the friends she made at Lincoln Law School; students, faculty, co-workers, and their families. She retired in 2010, but the inclusive spirit she brought to the school remains to this day.

Marilyn and Andy lost their beautiful daughter Terry in 1987, and she leaves behind her loving husband Andy, sons Jim and Rob, daughters-in-law Linda and Dari, and grandchildren Liana, Andrew, Anthony, and Nicholas.

Marilyn will be missed by all who knew her, and especially by her husband whom she took care of and loved for 70 years.

Services previously scheduled for December 7, 2024, have been cancelled. Notification will be given when the family has scheduled a celebration of Marilyn's amazing life.