Marilyn Mae Mora — devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend — passed away on April 30, 2022 in Fortuna. Marilyn was born on February 25, 1934 in Eureka to the late William S. Petersen and Gladys L. Bates (Williams) of Fortuna.

Marilyn was a lifelong resident of Fortuna and was raised on the Nowlin Ranch at Newburg by her grandmother Clara Williams. Elijah Nowlin became her surrogate father, and following Marilyn’s graduation from Fortuna High School, Elijah walked Marilyn down the aisle when she married Rudy Mora Jr., of Arcata in 1951.

Marilyn and her young family, which initially included two sons — Leland (Eileen) and Michael (Roberta) — moved back to the Nowlin Ranch from Shively following the 1955 flood. Her third son, Randy (Joan) was born in 1959 while the family was living on the ranch on Newburg Road. Marilyn and the family ran cattle and sheep on the Nowlin Ranch and she also worked in Fortuna for the medical offices of Doctors Olson & Goble and later at the offices of Doctors Schwarz and Auerhan. Marilyn loved the detail work of keeping books and records and she later worked for the County of Humboldt and Fortuna High School until retirement in 1994.

Marilyn was a devoted mother to her three boys and was a great supporter of their activities in 4-H and youth sports. Fingers were crossed and prayers were said when watching Mike in his bull-riding and rodeo activities. Our mom was our biggest fan and helped instill a strong work ethic and sense of independence in her three boys. Marilyn and Randy moved to Tenth Street in Fortuna in 1971, where her home was the gathering point for holidays and family gatherings for the past 50 years.

Marilyn experienced great joy when her three sons started their families, and she was blessed with six grandchildren — Sarah, Louis, Joseph, Justin, Cody, Tyler, Jason and Kayla. As a veteran parent and Gram of many County Fairs, Marilyn was always there to assist with the uniform whites and also was a veteran clerk of the Junior Livestock Auction. Marilyn was a devoted Gram to all the grandkids and she was later blessed with 14 great-grandchildren.

Marilyn had a brief bout with melanoma in 1982 and she later was a team captain for the American Cancer Society, where she helped with fundraising activities with the Society’s goal of finding a cure in our lifetime. Marilyn was a dedicated gardener from her younger days on the Nowlin Ranch, where she developed a green thumb for her roses. Marilyn loved to sew and quilt and experienced great joy when hosting her quilting group in her home for several years. Marilyn was preceded death by her parents and her son Michael in 2021.

Marilyn received wonderful care from Hospice of Humboldt, her daughter-in-laws, and her quilting partner Laurie Newman. Donations are welcome to Hospice of Humboldt or 4-H in Marilyn’s honor.

Family and friends will attend a Graveside Service at the Sunset Cemetery on Newburg Road at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 7. Friends and Family are invited to celebrate Marilyn at the family home at 524 10th Street in Fortuna following the graveside service.

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