Marilyn was born in Oklahoma City

Marilyn took her time getting her college degree. She earned her associates degree from William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri, then spent her junior year at the University of Oklahoma.

Marilyn married, and her husband's job with Boeing took them to Wichita, Kansas. The family that was now growing moved to Houston to be near the Space Program and IBM. They lived there for eleven years.

In 1971 the family moved to Dallas and Marilyn earned her degree in psychology with a minor in English at the University of Texas.

In 1978 the family moved to Somers, New York - again for IBM. Marilyn worked for the superintendent of schools. In 1984 her husband died quite suddenly; not too many months later, Marilyn began a nine-year career with IBM.

Marilyn and Doug Chapman met through friends in New York and married in 1988.

While on a trip to Placitas to visit with brother Dick Hopkins and sister-in-law Lucy Noyes, Doug fell in love with New Mexico and expressed hope that in retirement he and Marilyn might move to New Mexico. A few years later a job transfer to Albuquerque became available and they have lived here since 1993.

Marilyn began studying to become a realtor soon after moving to Placitas and has been associated with her sister-in-law since earning her license. Real estate was an interest of hers for many years prior to moving to New Mexico.

Her hobbies now are reading, gardening (this summer's vegetable garden has been wonderful) and knitting.

Marilyn most admires her Mom.

Travel has been very important in Marilyn's life - Japan, Singapore, France and a wonderful trip to England with both Marilyn's and Doug's daughters. This was a Barbershop Chorus trip where sightseeing, singing (by the New York and local English choruses) and new friendships were the objects of the trip. Traveling across England from London to Portsmouth included many side trips of historical interest and the opportunity to stay with local Barbershop families. The Westchester, New York chapter reciprocated several years later when one of the English chapters visited the U.S.

Travel couldn’t go without mentioning delightful trips to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico – so much to see and do and the food is wonderful!

In 2002 she was invited on a Nicaragua trip by her son Scott and his 14-year-old daughter. It was a work and learning trip sponsored by a Michigan Presbyterian Church. Their ten-day stay was spent on several work projects and hearing various speakers involved with local problem-solving. The highlight was a cross-Nicaragua trip by bus to a village where they had the opportunity to live in local residents' homes. Travel to almost anywhere makes one realize how lucky we in the United States are, and that for the most part people are universally warm and eager to please.

Her favorite things are hand lotion, coffee, chocolate, books and flowers. Her pet peeve is people who are consistently late.