Marjorie Winifred Killeen (Lyman)

Marjorie Winifred Killeen (Lyman), born in Oakland in 1918, died in Alameda the day after celebrating her 100th birthday surrounded by family.

Marjorie grew up in San Francisco and moved to Palo Alto where she graduated as Valedictorian and debate champion from Palo Alto High School. She attended the University of California, Berkeley (Cal) where she completed a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Public Speaking and a Master of Arts in History. During World War II, she worked at the American Red Cross. She later instructed at Cal and at the College of Marin where she taught history.

While living at International House Berkeley, she met her husband, John Killeen. They created their cherished family of six children, settling in Berkeley. In addition to her deep love for her family, Marjorie had a passion for international travel well into her nineties. She explored the globe, including Egypt, China, Japan, Russia, Australia, South America, Mexico, the Caribbean islands, Panama, Europe, Morocco, and Canada. She also enjoyed living in England while her husband worked in Oxfordshire. Being a lifelong reader, she always had a book at hand and she had a keen interest in current affairs, theater, dogs, and Cal sports.

Marjorie instilled a deep appreciation of education in her children and was a proud mother of five Cal grads. She is survived by sons Michael (Jessie) of Davis, Sean of Berkeley, Jack of Santa Rosa; daughters Joan of Berkeley and Kate of Sacramento; ten grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; and was predeceased by her husband John, daughter Ann, and brother William Lyman.

Private services will be held. Donations may be made to:

International House – University of California, Berkeley at ihouse.berkeley.edu/ donate; or any organization that protects domestic animals or wildlife.