Marilyn Ann Garry-Mulkeen
Dec. 5, 1944 - Nov. 18, 2017
After waging a valiant battle against her cancer for two years, Marilyn walked out of the dark tunnel of suffering and floated into the light.
Marilyn was born in San Francisco’s Sunset District to charming and loving Irish parents Walter and Marie Garry (deceased) toward the end of the 2nd World War. She had 2 older brothers, Walter, (ret. SFPD Lt.-deceased) and Kevin, (ret. SFFD Lt.). She is survived by niece Sheila (Patrick) Foarde, grand nephews Ryan, Connor and Brogan, niece Lisa (Rob) Hoye, grand niece Shaylin, grand nephew Brandon and grand niece Kylie, nephew Brian (Andrea) Garry, grand nephews Grant and Kennon, grand niece Jillian, niece Erin (Mike) Garry-Young, grand niece Riley, grand nephew Sean, nephew Sean (Stacey) Garry, grand nephew Tommy and grand niece Shannon, niece Rene (Charlie)Chiara, grand nephews Julian and Lucas, grand niece Sophie, nephew Kevin Garry, Jr. (SFFD), brother-inlaw Patrick Mulkeen (Robin – deceased), and nephew Martin (Emily).
She attended Holy Name Grammar School (‘59) and Mercy High School (‘63). Marilyn Studied Photography at SF City College, College of Marin, and SF State University.
She married her husband Tom Mulkeen (ret. SFPD Lt.) in 1966 and spent the next 51 years building a lasting and loving relationship with her lifelong friend. She also operated a successful photography studio in Marin for 30 years. Marilyn served as the official portrait photographer for the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame Award Recipients. She was active in Novato Rotary and an officer in the Professional Photographers of the Redwood Empire. Loved by all she touched, she used her good natured personality and highly developed sense of humor to bring forth the best from her subjects in front of the camera. Beautiful and heartfelt imagery flowed from her oeuvre.
When she retired from her studio business, Marilyn entertained us all with her FaceBook posts of beautiful images and thoughtful musings. She never missed an opportunity to bring positivity, joy and kindness to those around her. When her illness overtook her, the response and depth of support from her network of friends and family was a direct reflection of the way she had treated them all of her life.
Marilyn was the epitome of grace-- beautiful, charming and open hearted. She will be sorely missed. We’ll talk about her forever, forget about her never, love her more than ever.
There will be a Celebration of her Life on April 8, 2018. You are all invited to attend, but you must bring a Marilyn story to tell. Also if you have any pictures to share, please forward them to mgmfoto@sbcglobal.net ASAP. Use the Duggan’s Serra Mortuary website to get updates and respond to invitations to the Memorial.