Marilyn Joan Shapiro, July 20, 1931 – July 28, 2023. A life of love, kindness, giving and devotion.

Wife (40 years) of the late Kenneth Shapiro; mother of Dr Jeff Shapiro (the late Maria), Madelyn Mara (Dan), Randy Shapiro and the late Jann Wagner (Eric); grandmother of Lauren Gonzalez (Rodrigo), Kamrin Mara (Martin Gonzalez), Cole and Carson Wagner; great-grandmother of Liam and Ella Gonzalez; partner of Earl Essman (15 years).

As Washington University students, Ken and Marilyn fell in love and married after Ken returned from fighting in the WWII Battle of the Bulge. In addition to being partners in their own real estate brokerage, Ken and Marilyn focused on family boating, camping, fishing and travel adventures teaching “do your best instead of winning or losing.”

Marilyn’s passions included art, music, dance, opera (favoriting Phantom of the Opera), charities and women’s rights. As a witty and charming writer, Marilyn entertained family with poems and speeches.

By inviting a child with a deformity taunted at school over to play, Marilyn taught kindness and acceptance. After teaching volunteering to Jeff at age 10 at a home for the disabled, Marilyn volunteered (25 years) for the Organs R Us (Golden Gate Relay) charity founded by Jeff and was “Relay mom” to runners, walkers and children with organ failure waiting for a donor.

As a strong, humble leader, Marilyn dropped frequent pearls of wisdom from her mouth. Marilyn devoted her life to helping family, friends and strangers, making deep connections and bringing people together.

Sung by family at memorial service:
Remember when we were young, so were you
Life stood still fun was all we knew
You were the best we were blessed remember when
Remember when we grew up moved away
You told us save time for play
We won’t be sad we’ll be glad
For all your love we’ve had
And we’ll remember when…

A Funeral Service was held on August 8, 2023. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE