Marilyn’s interest in Community health issues began while she served as an AmeriCorps volunteer working for Hidalgo Medical Services post her retirement as a teacher. That experience has led to her involvement in community health and wellness efforts for the past 14 years in Grant County. She served for years as a member of the Grant County Community Health Council and chaired the organization during the pandemic.

Post pandemic her focus has been on health equity issues especially as they relate to rural communities.

Marilyn graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Elementary Education. She holds an MS in Elementary Education from Southern Oregon University with an endorsement in Special Education. She taught in both special education and regular classroom settings during her time as a teacher. Marilyn is a US Navy Veteran and was employed as a certified Deputy Sheriff in Corrections at the Klamath County Jail. These other “careers” have given her a very broad exposure to health and wellness impacts in each of these unique settings.

Marilyn is a wife, proud parent and stepparent to 6 children and grandparent to 11. She enjoys gardening, singing and has traveled to many of the states in the US as well as traveled to the Philippines, Italy and Yugoslavia.