Marilyn Jean Lamotte

January 1940 - August 2022

SAN DIEGO — Marilyn Jean Lamotte Crabbe, 82, of San Diego passed peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on August 8, 2022.

She was born January 1940 in Yakima, WA, the third of Ken and Ann Zinn’s four children. The family subsequently moved to Pasadena, CA, where during the 1950’s they lived on a bluff overlooking the Rose Bowl. Much of Marilyn’s early experiences were formed by YMCA camps and Presbyterian church communities where Ken was employed. At La Canada Junior High, Marilyn was one of the ‘Donettes’, a school spirit squad, and was voted ‘Cutest of the Class’. She excelled in the arts and athletics, including active membership in the San Gorgonia Ski Club - which inspired the rest of the family to take up snow skiing. Marilyn graduated from John Muir High School in 1957, where she served on the Blazer (newspaper) staff, was selected Homecoming Princess, and voted ‘Most Poised’ as a senior. Her natural affinity in front of the camera led to part-time modeling gigs during her two years at Pasadena City College (PCC). From an original group of 1,900 young women hopefuls for 1959 Rose Queen, Marilyn advanced to the top 22 finalists before being cut. She was instead selected among local models to represent one of San Antonio, TX’S four major colleges on a float which was the largest entry in that year’s New Year’s Day Rose parade. Marilyn had the opportunity to meet Ronald Reagan, then President of the Screen Actors Guild, who was keynote speaker at the 1959 National Association of Church Business Administrators Conference held in Los Angeles. Later in 1959, Marilyn graduated from PCC and the family moved to La Jolla.

After a brief stint as a laboratory technician, Marilyn entered what was known as stewardess training and got her United Airlines wings in 1961. She saw our great nation through the friendly skies and maintained a longdistance engagement with Allan Lamotte until they married in 1962. While residing in Los Angeles, Marilyn earned her bachelor’s degree at UCLA and taught 5th grade for two years. In 1966, while pregnant with their first child, they moved to San Diego when Allan accepted a teaching and coaching position at La Jolla High School. By 1970, the couple had three children and settled in the University City suburb.

Marilyn was a gracious hostess and a joyful stay-at-home mom. In 1976, she unexpectedly took on another responsibility as head of household. The best fit for her skills, education, and family situation was teaching piano lessons. This, plus a strong faith in God, provided the means to earn a professional wage and be home with the children. It was taboo in the 1970’s for a single mom to attend church, but she had an active prayer life and was supportive of her kids’ religious interests. Marilyn made our childhood a happy place where our emotional bank accounts could always be filled.

In 1977 Marilyn met Skip, and, after a 15-year courtship, they married with the children’s full support and love. Marilyn continued as a music instructor, even beyond Skip’s retirement, and also volunteered as a mentor / life coach to teen mothers. Together, she and Skip enjoyed grandchildren, cats, travel, movies, bicycling, and especially hikes/walks. They looked after one another in their San Diego home until the effects of his Parkinson’s and her Alzheimer’s were too great to manage without help.

Marilyn is survived by her children Jeanne (Steve) Finger of Spokane, WA, Joanne (Mark) Frisbie of Temecula, and Brian Lamotte of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Danielle, Donna, DJ, and Doug Finger and Madeline and Mason Frisbie; sisters Charlotte Zinn of La Jolla and Evelyn (William) Gillum of Canyon Lake, TX; sister-in-law Carol Zinn of Escondido; seven nieces and nephews and their families: Susan, Kathy, Jacki, Wendy, Taryl, Lisa, and Eric.

In addition to her parents, Marilyn was predeceased by her husband, Skip Crabbe; first husband Allan Lamotte; and brother, Charles Zinn.

A celebration of life will be hosted by Marilyn’s children on Thursday, December 22, at the family home, 6785 Edmonton Avenue, San Diego. Open house from 3pm to 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to Alzheimer’s San Diego, https://www.alzsd.org/. Please sign the Guest Book online obituaries.sandiegouniontribune.com