Obituary of Kathleen Marcum

Kathleen Marcum, age 89, of Salinas, passed away peacefully at Memorial Hospital in Salinas on May 9, 2021 surrounded by her family.

Kathleen was born January 27, 1932 in Madera to the late Carl & Frances (Scott) Jennings.

Kathleen was four years old when she began to sing on the Fresno radio station KMJ. She became know as the sweetheart of the Mickey Mouse program. She was also a 4-H member and a member of the Order of the Rainbow for Girls.

Kathleen's family moved to Salinas in 1942. She graduated from Salinas High School in 1950 and from Hartnell College in 1952. Kathleen went on to graduate from San Jose State College in 1954 with a degree in teaching. While at college, she joined the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority which she was a member of until her death.

Soon after graduation, Kathleen started her career teaching second grade at Sherwood Elementary School. She also married James M. Marcum that summer. They met on a blind date.

In 1956 she took a ten year leave of absence to raise their three children. She returned to teaching in 1966 at Sherwood School. She ended her career teaching third grade at Boronda School retiring in 1988.

In retired life she enjoyed quilting, reading, jigsaw puzzles and cross-word puzzles. She traveled with her husband, Jim and with the Active Seniors. She took classes at the Salinas Adult School and belonged to several quilting groups.

In addition to her parents, Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Marcum, who passed away on October 1, 2010.

Survivors include sons Larry Marcum and Lee Marcum both of California; daughter Lynda Pierce and husband Dave of Wisconsin.

A Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 28, 2021 at 3:00 PM at the Healey Mortuary Chapel, 405 N. Sanborn Rd., Salinas, CA.

Family interment services will be held on Tuesday, June 1, 2021 at the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Salinas, CA

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