Marilynn Lorree Brush

(Morrison) Brush May 7, 1921- January 5, 2011 Born in Ireton, Iowa, May 7, 1921 to Eileen and Roscoe Morrison, Marilynn and her parents soon moved to Modesto, California. She attended elementary and high schools there and graduated from Modesto Junior College. Marilynn studied at the Academy of Fashion Design in San Francisco and worked there until her marriage June 21, 1942 to Lt. Elvin W. Brush (USAC). Being the wife of a career Air Force pilot, she found herself moving with her five children all around the country including Florida, Oklahoma, Montana, Nebraska and California. Overseas tours included Hawaii, Turkey and Portugal. When her children had grown, she went back to college to get her teaching credentials and taught 1st grade at Franklin Elementary School in Modesto. Upon her retirement 25 years ago, she moved to McKinleyville to a home that satisfied her lifelong ambition - to live next to the ocean. Marilynn was a compassionate person caring about others, a creative cook, a gifted hostess, a devoted quilter, an ardent reader, a dedicated volunteer and an accomplished musician, at one point playing in the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. She loved children and never thought of them as sub adults but rather just short people you could interact with. She was known and cherished for her sense of humor, especially the ironic understatement. On her return address labels, her home on a bluff above the ocean, bore the name "Tottering-On-The-Brink". A long-standing member of the Arcata's First Presbyterian Church, she took part in many activities. As well as serving as an ordained Deacon, she was active in the Presbyterian Women's group, volunteered at the church's Thrift Shop, was always there to help with refreshments and her name usually appeared on every volunteer list that was circulated. Marilynn was preceded in death by her son, Elvin Wayne, and is survived by her husband, Elvin W. Brush and children Michael Van Zee, Karlene Larkin, Peter Brush and Jeffry Brush as well as a sister, Pat Morrison. She was the grandmother of six and great grandmother of nine. Memorial services will be held at 2pm Saturday, January 22 at the 1st Presbyterian Church of Arcata, 11th and G. In place of flowers, contributions may be made to CASA of Humboldt County, 2356 Myrtle Ave., Eureka 95501 or to the Extreme Weather Shelter fund of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Arcata, 670 11th Street, Arcata 95521. Care is under the direction of Paul's Chapel, Arcata, California. Condolences may be left at www.paulschapel.com Please sign the guest book at www.Times-Standard.com, click obits.