Marilyn (Lynn) Ruth Herman, a woman of sharp wit, deep service, and a surprisingly competitive streak, passed away peacefully in Santa Cruz, CA, on January 26, 2026, at the age of 96.
Born on August 14, 1929, in the tiny hamlet of Island Lake, Wisconsin, Lynn’s beginnings were as colorful as her personality. The daughter of Asa “Ace” Willis and Gladys Burpee, she grew up in her parents’ fishing lodge and saloon. Known then as “Babe,” she spent her youth doing chores like milking the cow and rowing local fishermen to secret spots where the fish were biting — a foreshadowing of a woman who always knew how to get things done.
Education was a priority early on; she began in a one-room schoolhouse and entered Ripon College at 16, though she told everyone she was 18. She graduated with a BS in Biology and later, in her 40s, proved it is never too late to learn by earning a Master’s in Human Resources from Golden Gate University.
In the late 50s, she and her husband, Jim, who she met in college and who was an aerospace engineer, moved the family to sunny San Diego, until a better job came up in Sunnyvale, where they then set down roots and raised three children. When her husband retired in the early 80s, they moved into a home in Aptos with an ocean view that drew friends and family for many years. Later, they relocated to Paso Robles to be near family, where she spent 15 happy years. Her last move was in 2020 when she moved to Dominican Oaks in Santa Cruz. She and her dog, Daisy, were very popular, and she enjoyed the food, friends, cards, and all the activities. Whether playing Bridge in Paso Robles or walking her beloved dog, Daisy, at Dominican Oaks, Lynn made friends and left a lasting impression everywhere she lived.
Lynn was a woman of many chapters. Her career path was as varied as her zip codes, spanning from the Schlitz Brewing Company in Milwaukee to assisting a famous but arrogant heart surgeon at Mass General while her husband, Jim, attended MIT. She eventually found her professional calling managing the Fairbrae Swim and Tennis Club in Sunnyvale, a role she truly loved for nearly a decade.
However, her true legacy lies in her “life of service.” Lynn was a powerhouse volunteer, serving as President of the El Camino Hospital Auxiliary in Mountain View, where she was honored for more than 5000 hours of service. She was also President of the Sunnyvale Friends of the Library and of the Santa Cruz Friends of Hospice. Always quick to lend a hand, she volunteered endlessly at the church and schools and was often the team mom for sports teams.
While Lynn was known for her light easy charm and graciousness, her family knew to watch their backs at the card table. She was a feisty shark who played to win and often did. Proving her mind was as sharp as ever, she managed to beat her family at Wordle twice in her final week of life.
She enjoyed the outdoors, completing the Yosemite Rim Trail in her 60s, participating in numerous Wharf to Wharf races, and taking regular walks on the beach. She loved international travel, road trips, and the family cabin in Lake Tahoe that she cheekily called a chalet.
Lynn was preceded in death by her husband and love of her life, James (Jim) Jerome Herman; her son Mark Herman; and her sisters, Barbara and Pat. She loved and was truly loved back by all her family, and she was deeply proud and interested in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her daughter Julie Cross and her husband Chris, son Matthew Herman and his wife, Jennifer, Mark Herman’s widow, Lucy Herman, five grandchildren: Josh Cross (Montse), Trevor Cross (Lisa), Emily Nichols (Demetrick), Holly Herman, Alexander Herman, and seven great-grandchildren: Urban, Ilan, Liam, Easton, Ella, Reese, and Christopher.
Lynn lived a full, vibrant life, taking great strength from her faith and her community. She was a lifelong learner who remained informed on the world until the very end, always meeting life with a smile and a sense of humor that made her a joy to be around.
The family will be having a celebration of life at the Paso Robles cemetery on Friday, February 20, at 12:30. Please contact Julie at 805-748-1954 if you’d like to attend.
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