Wilkinson, Marilyn Haynes' Obituary
Marilyn Jean (Haynes) Wilkinson, 94, of Orinda, California, passed away April 14, 2026.
She was born on January 14, 1932, in San Mateo, California, to Owen J. Haynes and Florence Nelson Haynes. Her early life was spent traveling the world via her father’s employment tours with Standard Oil. Touring the world so extensively with her family inspired her lifelong passion and love of travel. She attended Scripps College and Dominican College. In 1953, she married George J. McGaffigan Jr., with whom she had a son and a daughter. She later remarried and divorced.
Throughout her life she enjoyed hosting formal parties, participating in the socialite culture of the San Francisco Bay Area, and caring for her cats and standard poodles. She was a woman of complex intensity who left a distinct impression on those she knew.
She is survived by her two grandchildren, Megan Kelly McGaffigan of Vancouver, Washington, and Owen Thomas McGaffigan of Three Forks, Montana (both children of her late son, Thomas Haynes McGaffigan) as well as their spouses.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Thomas Nelson Haynes (1926–1951); her daughter, Nancy A. Loftin (1954–1997); and her son, Thomas Haynes McGaffigan (1955–2025) who is survived by his later wife Christine Amparo Gunn McGaffigan.
No public services will be held. Arrangements are under the care of Skylawn Memorial Park, San Mateo, CA.
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