Marilyn Jett (Carey) Rivers, 81, passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 21, 2025.

Born in San Diego, California - Marilyn’s lifelong relationship with her beloved sisters was formed early. Raised by a single mother - then losing her to cancer at a young age - the Carey sisters (Barbie, Marilyn, and Nancee respectively) determined to live their lives together. But it was the multi-year journey abroad that Barbie and Marilyn undertook in their late teens that solidified her delight in travel and discovery. There were few places to which they did not wander on that epic trip, including the Israeli kibbutz, Greece, large swaths of Europe, and ultimately, to the Nordic countries. It was here that Marilyn first met Dan - an ambitious young man, he greeted them at church one Sunday and the rest - as they say - is history.

Fast forward several years and we next see Marilyn - married to Dan (now an American citizen and serving in the US Army) - anxious to move back to California to be close to her sisters and their growing families. Marilyn’s passion was her family - volunteering her time, helping at school, carpools, swim practices, church events - she was, seemingly, omni-present for her four children (Michael, Holly, Summer, and Vanessa) and their unique and busy lives. Yet her desire for travel and experience never waned. At 39 and six months pregnant she ran a 5K, at 45 she ran the LA Marathon, at 50 she commemorated her birthday by climbing Half Dome at Yosemite National Park, and in her 70s she enjoyed trips across the US and Canada with the Fab Five (her sisters, brother-in-law, and Dan). Indeed, over the past year, Marilyn continued her travels - journeying several times to Germany to visit her eldest daughter, and loving every minute of it.

A natural born gifter - Marilyn’s penchant for selecting and presenting the exactly perfect present was unmatched. Her gift horde was impressive, small things, new things, old things, seemingly inconsequential things, that - once gifted to the right person in the right moment - became an obvious act of love. It was Marilyn’s ability to meet a moment with a gift that was truly unique - propelled by her generous heart and sincere kindness. The consummate host - Marilyn reveled in making meals, inviting people to her table, and deploying her home as an extension of her heart - year-round, holiday after holiday, inviting, celebrating, and commemorating every occasion with food, gifts, and love.

Barbie, the eldest of the Carey sisters died in 2021, followed just a few months later by Nancee, the youngest. Their deaths impacted Marilyn greatly - and though she took confidence in knowing they are with the Lord and at peace - their absence after a lifetime of presence was almost intolerable. Yet Marilyn continued on, willingly offering kindness and love to her extensive family.

I see my mother even now, her arms outstretched, warm and welcoming - always solicitous to her children and children’s children. Indeed, Marilyn’s great legacy is her family. Fifty-seven years she walked with Dan - her husband and partner - building into the generations after her. Four children, spread across fifteen years, she invested her time, her resources, and her heart to ensure they had every good thing. And then came the grand-children - ten to be exact - spread across two decades. And though most will remember her as Marilyn or Mom - this select group will always know her as Granny. And what a Granny she was!

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