June 22, 1932 – August 6, 2026
Marilyn Hooton passed away Thursday, August 6 at Lassen House in Red Bluff.
She was born in Hollister, California on June 22,1932.
She was very proud of her California heritage, being descended from Maria Bernal who arrived as a two year old member of the De Anza Spanish colonial expedition, arriving in San Francisco in June of 1776.
She graduated from Hollister High School where she was a cheerleader for the Haybalers.
She attended the College of Notre Dame de Namur in Belmont, Ca.
She married Bill Hooton to become a ranch wife.
During their marriage they lived in various towns and cities following Bill’s career with the California Dept. of Food and Agriculture.
While in Chico, she earned her masters degree in music from SUC and taught In the music department for several years.
While in Sacramento she taught piano. She was in the Sacramento Cathedral Choir and had the privilege of singing in the Sistine Chapel in the presence of Pope John Paul.
She was an officer and organist for the Sacramento Elks lodge #6. She was also a past president of the California Music Teachers Assn..
She was preceded in death by her husband Bill Hooton and Grandson Wade Strang.
She is succeeded by daughter Lynn Strang (Ed) and son Bill Hooton Jr. (Karin), Grandchildren Rachel Simpson (Jeff), Carisa Hertz (Corey), and Bryce Hooton (Anya), Great grandchildren Christopher Simpson, Hunter Strang, Rikala Rix, Kai Hertz, and Kira Hooton.
There will be a Catholic mass at Sacred Heart church on October 23 at 11:00.
A graveside service at the IOOf cemetery will follow.