Obituary for
Marilyn Nielsen Brown
Marilyn Nielsen Brown, a resident of Orinda, Moraga and Walnut Creek for over 54 years, passed away unexpectedly on August 8, 2016, surrounded by her loved ones. She was 88 years old.
Born in Chicago on February 2, 1928, to Ellen Gwendolyn Hughes and Stewart Erwin Nielsen, Marilyn graduated from Maine Township High School in Park Ridge where she was recognized for scholarship. She went on to Colorado College and then University of Colorado at Boulder where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Education, and was a sister in the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. During this time Marilyn met her future husband, Gene Dwight Hagler, and they married in 1952. Gene's career took them coast-to-coast until they ultimately settled in Orinda in 1962.
A working mother, Marilyn dedicated her career to education. She taught elementary school in both the Orinda and Lafayette school districts in many capacities: 28 years as a classroom teacher and the remainder in SIP coordination, gifted instruction, and special education. She retired in 1992.
Marilyn had always been "one" with plants and loved to spend time in the garden creating masterpieces of color and design. She was a long standing member of the Orinda Valley Garden Club, and dedicated many hours to research, discussion, and plantings in her garden. Her love included managing the alter flower arrangements in the sanctuary at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian church (LOPC), where she was a member of the congregation since 1963.
Giving back to the community through volunteer work was one of Marliyn's passions. She was active in the local P.E.O. chapter and coordinated the Rossmoor library volunteers. When her children were young she taught Sunday school at the LOPC .
Marilyn was preceded in death by Gene Hagler, her parents, her brother Stewart Erwin Nielsen Jr. and her daughter Deborah Lee Hagler. She is survived by her youngest brother, Michael Alan Nielsen, her two sons, Christopher Stewart Hagler (Heidi) and Richard Dwight Hagler (Vera), and her four grandchildren, Justin Robert Hagler, Natalie Gwendolyn Hagler, Hanna Ellen Hagler, and Andrew Charles Hagler.
Throughout her life, Marilyn was truly grateful for her many friends and family and reveled in her Grandma status, cherishing special moments with each of her grandchildren. She was very active and loved to play bridge, golf, bird watch, travel, and take walks around Rossmoor. Her boundless love, energy and vitality will be missed by all. The Kurth Memorial Garden, located along the length of the LOPC sanctuary, will be her final resting place.
Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service on August 20 at 2PM at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church in Lafayette, CA. In lieu of flowers, Marilyn requested that donations be made to the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church Foundation, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, CA 94549, or to the charity of your choice.
