Marilyn Stoneburner
Marilyn Stoneburner was the eldest daughter born in Orange County to Scottish American parents for whom hard work and education were the keys to success. Her father Lloyd survived both WWII and Korea to marry the light of his life, Ruth. Mimi was to become "Big Sister" 7 years later to Laura.
Church, school, library duty, and ballet inspired her to achieve her “Impossible Dream”, a college year abroad in Denmark. She succeeded with good grades, initiative and ever demanding parttime jobs. Danish & Cal State San Diego health professors channeled her infectious energy to become a health educator. Her college roommates and friends formed the "Society of Technical Virgins", but in the "Age of Aquarius" she found the local Navy Pilots to be "less than honorable". Her roommates were to achieve multiple Phd's but Mimi focused on a MPH (Master in Public Health). Upon graduation, her first full time job was with the San Diego Medical Society to demonstrate the hazards of smoking.
Fate intervened when she attended a Cancer Conference at the Balboa Naval Hospital. As only 1 of 7 young ladies she was surrounded by 500 doctors. An Ob/gyn physician approached who was a "bit blue". She asked him why was he so sad. Fighting back tears he described how a C-section delivery infant was stillborn with infected lungs and it was his first loss of a patient. Mimi hugged and comforted that doctor and told her roommates that night that she would marry him. A few months later, a crossed swords wedding at the Naval Hospital chapel began their mutual sharing of passions for "Making the whole world healthy, one patient at a time".
Both Mimi and Larry Stoneburner had a thirst for knowledge and were lifelong learners.
After 10 years in Orange County, Larry moved his practice and the family to Bakersfield. Using Larry as a "Class Project" at KGET-TV, Mimi created & produced a series of nationally syndicated TV stories called "You Be the Doctor". In 1995, she was awarded the C Everett Koop MD Media Award as the creator/producer of "Mending Broken Hearts". The American Heart Association stated "attaining the highest standards of reporting in Television" in all of America.
After 13 years and nearly 2,000 stories, tragedy struck. Larry had a 5 vessel cardiac bypass that ended his surgical career. But adversity had created options. They moved to Springville and became owners of KTIP RADIO AM1450. Mimi created “Body Talk”, a weekly interview talk show with book authors. Over the years, ever more famous authors said “I want Mimi!”
She heralded "Adoption is God's gift to share his love as a parent". Larry has been blessed by his own adoption and having TWO families. Both sons have adopted children and Mimi loved her role as "G’mom" best.
KTIP was named Small Business of the year in both Porterville and Visalia by the Chambers of Commerce. Both Mimi and Larry were committed advocates of education. They interacted with the Harmony Magnet Academy of Engineering since its founding. The school was named best national academy amongst over 700 National Academy Foundation schools. She treasured the warmth of interacting with entrepreneurial students for 17 years on the Porterville College Foundation. She led by example sharing and teaching that, passion with purpose mattered.
Her core values enriched with maturity. For 45 years of marriage she was a Medical Journalist, passionate about affordable, high quality, organic food. She envisions food as the medicine of the future. That only profitable farm production can assure a sustainable global food supply. She believes to be healthy, we need to change our food culture and eating habits.
She will be dearly missed but her purpose and her core values will endure.
Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Porterville Funeral & Cremation Center Chapel. To sign Mimi's online register book please log on to www.portervillefuneral.com. For additional information please contact Porterville Funeral & Cremation Center 765 W. Henderson Ave., Porterville, CA 93257 (559) 784-6485.