OBITUARY: Marilyn Jean Blackburn, 1948-2026

In loving memory of Marilyn Jean Blackburn

Marilyn Jean Blackburn, a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, peacefully
passed away on August 15, 2026 in Eureka. Born on March 30, 1948, in Olympia,
Washington, Marilyn grew up in a household that was anything but ordinary. Her mother, Doris
Hunter, filled the home with an unforgettable menagerie of animals that are now part of the
family lore. There was a monkey who kept everyone on their toes, a mischievous myna bird who
insisted on bathing in the fish tank, “Lambert,” the sheep who politely knocked on the front door
with his hoof when he wanted to come inside and “Rembrandt,” the bulldog who didn’t bite — he
just “ran into you with his teeth.” Those early years shaped Marilyn’s lifelong love of animals.
The sleepovers at the Hunter house were wildly entertaining and made for some memorable
stories.

Marilyn spent her youth in Eureka, graduating from Eureka High School in 1966. Not long after,
she stepped into one of her proudest roles: becoming a single mother to her daughter, Angela
(born of her marriage to James G. Allen). In 1975, through sheer determination and grit, Marilyn
accomplished something extraordinary when she bought her first home while raising Angela on
her own. It was a milestone she cherished for the rest of her life, a symbol of her independence
and devotion to her daughter.

Marilyn later found love again with Norman Blackburn, with whom she shared many joyful years
until his passing in 2022. During their retirement, Marilyn and Norman embraced a life of
movement and adventure, leaving Eureka for Weaverville, Yuma, Las Vegas and Redding
before Marilyn returned home to Eureka in 2025. Along the way, they collected memories as
well as lifelong friends who became part of their extended family.

Some of Marilyn’s happiest memories were made at Trinity Lake, surrounded by friends, family,
sunshine and the kind of simple joys that become lifelong stories. She loved the easy days on
the water just as much as the chaotic ones — dead boat motors, roadside RV strandings and
all the unpredictable tribulations that come with lake life. Those adventures became part of her
family’s stories, retold with laughter for decades.

Family was always at the center of Marilyn’s world. She leaves behind her daughter Angela
Harder (Keven); her step‑children Teresa Peters (John) and Richard Blackburn (Wendy); her
grandchildren Tanner and Hunter Circe, Brandon and Greysen Blackburn and Julia and
Matthew Peters; and seven great‑grandchildren. Marilyn is also survived by her sisters, Phyllis
Parke and Suzy Mott, and by her nieces and nephews: Daron Birnbaum, Rozlin, Lizbeth, and
Thomas Mott, and Jarah and Justin Parke. She had seven great-nieces and nephews and a
great-great niece and nephew.

Marilyn was deeply rooted in her faith, participating in the First Covenant Church in Eureka and
the Church of the Nazarene in Weaverville. Her kindness and gift of making everyone feel
welcome made her a cherished presence in every community she touched.Marilyn’s life was a testament to resilience, love, humor and the strength of a woman who gave
her all to the people she cherished. Her stories and laughter will live on in every life she
touched. Marilyn would want us all to seize the moment, take the trip and not wait – because
some of life’s best memories begin with an adventure.

Her family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Timber Ridge and the Hospice House of
Humboldt for their compassionate care. Donations can be made to Hospice of Humboldt in
Marilyn’s memory.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Details will be shared once they are finalized.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Marilyn Blackburn’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.