Marlyn Stroiman Milberger

Marlyn Stroiman Milberger

Marlyn Stroiman Milberger (Cohen), aged 92, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, in La Jolla, California, with her sister Loretta by her side. Marlyn was born in Montreal, Quebec, on October 22, 1931. She was the eldest child to parents Lazarus (Lou) and Dinah Cohen.

Growing up in Montreal, Marlyn often modeled for her successful Canadian dress designer father. She enjoyed sports and played on her high school basketball team. At 19, she left Canada and moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with her first husband, Ted Stroiman, to raise a family.

As a young mother, her children frequently requested her famous sweet and sour meatballs, a cherished recipe passed down through generations. She prepared this beloved dish for her children's birthdays. Marlyn actively volunteered at her children’s schools and later became President of the Parent-Teacher Association. In her forties, with her youngest children as teenagers, Marlyn pursued higher education, earning her Bachelor of Arts and then her Master of Arts in Communications—an achievement she took tremendous pride in.

Marlyn moved to Orange County in 1984 before settling in San Diego, stating, "there is no way I am going to stay in Wisconsin winters as I grow old." In San Diego, she continued her volunteer work with a number of organizations such as the Carlsbad Republican Women of which she eventually became President.

In 1989, she married her second husband, Stan Milberger. They joined a square-dancing club where they enjoyed numerous events in their plethora of traditional square-dancing outfits. Marlyn also loved playing Mahjong, traveling, and dining out. Inheriting some of her father’s creative fashion talent, Marlyn started her label of knitted clothing. She delighted in gifting her creations to relatives.

While Marlyn achieved much in her lifetime, she considered her greatest accomplishment to be the role of a grandmother. Actively involved in her grandchildren’s lives, she often picked them up from school and treated them to trips to local theme parks and museums, finding immense joy, comfort, and happiness in these moments.

Survived by her husband Stan, Marlyn is also survived by her children from her first marriage: Marty Stroiman of San Diego, CA, Jeff Stroiman and his wife Sandra of Newport Beach, CA, and Mindy Stroiman and her fiancé Lee. She was a cherished grandmother to Eric Stroiman and partner Ashley of San Diego, CA, Amanda Stroiman of New York City, NY Jason Stroiman and wife Jen of Oak Park, IL and Jeremy Stroiman and wife Lindsey of Boulder, CO. Further survived by her brother Jules Cohen, sister Loretta Butot, sister-in-law Pauline Cohen, and a loving group of great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends.

The family expresses special thanks to Marlyn’s loving and attentive caregivers for providing comfort and companionship in her last years.

The funeral service will be on Monday, February 12, 2024,1:30 p.m., at El Camino Memorial Cemetery, 5600 Carroll Canyon Road, San Diego, California. Reception to follow at Stroiman Residence.

In lieu of flowers, the family is welcoming donations to Jewish Women International: https://www.jwi.org/.