Marilyn Monks passed away peacefully surrounded by family at home on February 26, 2020.

Marilyn was born to John and Marie Cepak in Chicago, Illinois on June 11, 1932. After High School and Business College, she gained her first employment with Blyth & Co, Investment bankers as a secretary.

Marilyn married Thomas Monks on October 19, 1957 in Chicago. Within days of their nuptials, they boarded Amtrak California Zephyr from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay Area, where his brother Joe and his wife Lorraine lived and were instrumental for the young couple to establish roots in California.

The couple honeymooned at the Carmel Valley Inn, near Monterey, CA and never looked back to Chicago.  Their children remember a road trip there in the 1970s where the property had fallen from its previous grandeur in 1957 into disappointing disrepair.  It has been restored over the years.

After living in their first apartment in Daly City, CA, they purchased a first house in Cupertino, CA.  Soon thereafter, they adopted their son, Tom in 1963.  3 ½ years later, they adopted their daughter Anne Marie in 1967.

Needing a bigger house for their expanded family, Tom and Marilyn moved a few miles down the road to a 4 bedroom house on the west side of San Jose.  The location was perfect for the family.  Across the street was the newly built Queen of Apostles Catholic Church and Archbishop Mitty high school.  Both children attended grammar school at Queen of Apostles.

After some years raising their children at home, Marilyn returned to her previous employer Blyth & Company, Investment Bankers (underwrote Candlestick Park bonds) as an executive secretary for many years.  The family fondly remembers rare occasions, in the first row, behind the Giants' dugout, watching Willie Mays hit a home run over the fence of the not-yet-closed Candlestick Park.  Marilyn was a very big Giants Fan !

In 1977, the family took a leap of faith and purchased an executive home in the Jackson Oaks hillside development in Morgan Hill, CA.  Which was sold after her husband passed in 1985.

Upon retirement, Marilyn was an avid member of various local groups.  One in particular is Women In Touch, where she served as president.  A big part of Marilyn's life was traveling with groups on their many excursions over the years.

Marilyn was predeceased by her parents, John and Marie Cepak, her husband Thomas Monks Sr., her siblings Constance Maloney and John Cepak Jr., All living in the Chicago area.

Marilyn is survived by her son Thomas Monks Jr., his wife, Viktoriya, granddaughter Sophia Monks, daughter Anne Nelson, grandsons, Justin and Matthew Nelson.

Marilyn's family invites you to her Celebration of Life ceremony on Friday March 6, 2020 at:

Habing Funeral Home, 129 Fourth Street, Gilroy, California 95020

Viewing from 9 am to 11:30 am

Services at 12:00 noon

Internment at Mount Hope Cemetery immediately following Funeral Service:

250 Spring Ave, Morgan Hill

All are invited to a reception following Internment ceremony at:

Extend Your Image Salon, 16195 Monterey Road Suite 108, Morgan Hill, California