Marilyn Ann Merchant Groven, aged 91, of Eureka, died on March 31, 2026.

Marilyn was born October 15, 1934, in Riverside, California, to Elmer and Mabel Merchant. She grew up in Riverside as one of seven siblings on the family’s orange grove. She was one of 127 students to attend the newly established University California, Riverside in 1954 and proudly graduated in its first class. She went on to pursue her teaching degree.

Marilyn married Blair Edward Groven and they shared 45 years together. They had five daughters.

Marilyn spent much of her career teaching elementary school. Blair and Marilyn moved to Humboldt County in 1974 and soon started Tall Trees Learning Center in a room at the First Presbyterian Church. Eventually they moved to a larger location where they served many Eureka families over the years.

In the 1980s, Blair and Marilyn traveled to Japan where they taught English and were instrumental in establishing a student exchange program between their students in Tokyo and host families in Eureka, helping to make lasting friendships between countless families.

Marilyn is survived by four daughters, nine grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, with one great-great grandchild on the way. She was preceded in death by her husband and her youngest daughter.

A memorial will be held later in the year.

“For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.”

— Carl Sagan