Marilyn grew up in San Diego, California. In her early years, she worked in colored pencil and clay and majored in art in high school and took 1st place in a Senior Commercial Art competition. She served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Los Angeles, California. Afterwards, she attended school at Brigham Young University where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She married Donald Nettles in 1961 and together they lived in the Los Angeles area and raised three children. She received a second Bachelor’s degree from California State University of Los Angeles. She afterwards, taught elementary school for 20 years. For a time, she made porcelain dolls and designed clothing. In 2000, she retired from teaching and went back to painting.
In 2010, she was chosen by State Senator Bob Huff as “Outstanding Artist of the Year.” Her painting “Mustard Flowers, Late Season” hung in the State Capital of California from 2010 to 2011.
Marilyn currently lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
