Marilyn May Hunwick's Obituary
Marilyn May Anderson Hunwick entered Eternal Life on February 17, 2017 at the age of 86.
Marilyn was born on September 2, 1930 to Gustaf and Bertha Anderson. Her family
traveled from Sweden to Nebraska. They were active members of their local Lutheran church where Marilyn was baptised as a child.
Marilyn graduated from high school at a young age, and attended Weber State
University in Utah. She was a member of the La Dianaeda Social Club, and graduated
with honors. Marilyn received a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from San Francisco
State University, and studied for her M.A. in Religious Education at Berkeley Baptist
Divinity School.
It was in seminary that she met her future husband, The Reverend Lynn Hunwick. They
were married at Grace Baptist Church in San Jose, California, during a candlelight
service, surrounded by a loving family and supportive friends. Shortly after that, they
moved to Palo Alto, where her husband, Lynn, was a graduate student at Stanford
University, and a Stanford University Chaplain .
Marilyn and her husband worked in India for ten years with American Baptist Foreign
Mission Society. Their adventure began as they traveled across the North Atlantic Ocean on
the RMS Queen Mary. Marilyn gave birth to her three children in India. She was a
consummate hostess, organizing Christian events, conferences, mission retreats, and she
enjoyed entertaining Catholic Sisters, who worked for a local Catholic mission.
Upon returning to Palo Alto, Marilyn worked for United Campus Christian Ministry, at
Stanford Memorial Church, until her retirement. She was a CCIS President at Stanford
Bechtel International House, where she established a program for foreign wives and their
children. Marilyn hosted countless Stanford Foreign Students throughout her years in
Palo Alto.
Marilyn loved genealogy, and published two books chronicling her Swedish family
history, dating from the 1600’s. She enjoyed her visits with Gerard Bennet of Rosendals
Slott Castle in Sweden, where her ancestors had lived and worked. Marilyn and Lynn
were members of the Palo Alto Sister Cities Neighbors Abroad, and Honorary members
of the Hunwick Cricket Club in England. Their wanderlust never ceased, and after their
retirement, they continued to enjoy touring England, Europe, Sweden and Asia.
Marilyn is remembered for her deep devotion and love for her family and it’s historical
roots. She lovingly volunteered her time to Christian charities in her church and in her
community. She was known for her intelligence and her compassionate Christian
values and principles.
Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband, Lynn, her
brother, Harold Anderson, her children, Elizabeth Hunwick, Brian (Sita Wendroff)
Hunwick, Keith (Sheryl Kendall) Hunwick, her grandchildren, Marc MacDonald, Bradley
(Nicona) MacDonald, Chloe Hunwick, and great grandchildren, Connor MacDonald,
Kaylee Mae MacDonald, Maxwell Remington MacDonald and Angelina Marie MacDonald
A Memorial Service and Reception for family and friends has been held in Palo Alto. A
private Catholic Committal Service, officiated by Deacon Dominick Peloso for the family,
was held at Skylawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park in San Mateo, California.
Memorial donations in honor of Marilyn, may be made to Ecumenical Hunger Project in
Palo Alto.
https://wwwprojectgivingkids.org/nonprofits/ecumenical-hunger-program/
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