Marion Helene Higginbotham b. 01 SEP 1912 Winton, Merced Co., CA; d. 21 MAR 2009 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA; m. 15 AUG 1937 McFarland, Kern Co., CA; Max Waterfield Caldwell b. 13 APR 1912 Lakeport, Lake Co., CA; d. 20 DEC 2004 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA. Both buried: Oakwood Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., CA.
CHILDREN [living]:
1) ___ Caldwell [son]
2) ___ Caldwell [daughter]
PARENTS: divorcée Bessie "Monnie" Evelyn (née Dean) Price b. 11 AUG 1884 Lodi, San Joaquin Co., CA; d. 21 JUL 1973 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA; m.#2 08 NOV 1911 Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA; Enos "Pop" Marion Higginbotham b. 31 JAN 1881 Jenny Lind Twp., Calaveras, Co., CA; d. 03 JUN 1978 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA. Both buried: Harmony Grove Cemetery, Lockeford, San Joaquin Co., CA. NOTE: They divorced prior to Monnie's Last Will & Testament written 23 DEC 1967.
SIBLINGS:
1) Marion Helene Higginbotham 1912-2009 [SELF]
2) James Marvin Higginbotham Sr. 1913-2005
3) Earl Raymond Higginbotham 1916-1967
HALF-SIBLING (from mother's first marriage 08 FEB 1903 to George Leon Price):
1) Dorothy "Dodo" Evelyn Price 1903-2000
Max and Marion Caldwell were the co-founders of Kennolyn Camp [cut & paste] http://www.kennolyn.com
MARION'S OBITUARY #1 [names of living descendents removed]:
Kennolyn Camp's 'Aunt Marion' dies at 96
SANTA CRUZ -- Tens of thousands of campers and counselors knew her as Aunt Marion.
Marion H. Caldwell, co-founder of Kennolyn Camps in the Soquel forest, shared a dream with her husband to open a school or camp for both boys and girls in the forties, and with $10,000 and a great deal of enthusiasm, the Caldwells made it happen in 1946.
Nearly reaching the 64th anniversary of the creation of the camp, Caldwell died at her Soquel home March 21. She was 96.
Born in Winton, Caldwell was raised in the Central Valley on her family's ranch, where she would help cut peaches and haul almonds every summer during her childhood. She often shared fond memories with her children of swimming in the irrigation ditches with her sister and brothers to pass the days of summer.
Later Caldwell was called to a career in education, following in the footsteps of her father. After attending Bakersfield Junior College and graduating from UC Berkeley, she taught drama and public speaking to students at Fowler High School. It was in Fowler in 1937 that she met, and eight months later married, another young teacher named Max Caldwell.
In 1944, while Max Caldwell was in the Navy during World War II, the couple dreamed up one of the first co-ed summer camps in California. Two years later, upon Max Caldwell's return, the couple saw an advertisement in the San Francisco Chronicle for the 60-acre plot of land above Soquel.
The first summer the couple invited their nieces and nephews to the camp to supplement the small group of paying customers. The young relatives naturally called them "Aunt Marion" and "Uncle Max." The names stuck and for generations of Kennolyn campers and staff.
Pat Veatch, longtime Kennolyn camper and counselor, remembered their genuine interest in each and every child.
"When campers talk with either Aunt Marion or Uncle Max, they felt at the center of their world with such a feeling of 'just me'," she said. "The campers delighted in it."
Described as quite the visionary, she was always looking for new and exciting things to adopt at Kennolyn.
Marion H. Caldwell
BORN: Sept. 1, 1912
DIED: March 21, 2009
HOME: Soquel
OCCUPATION: Retired Kennolyn Camps founder and co-director, drama and public speaking teacher
EDUCATION: Graduate of Bakersfield Junior College, teaching credential from UC Berkeley
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Founder of Kennolyn Camps, founding member of the Western Association of Independent Camps, board member of the Northern California Section of the American Camp Association, honored as a 'Super Pioneer' by her camp director peers, and was recognized by the U.S. Congress, the California Legislature and the governor of California for her achievements. In 2000, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce listed her and her husband Max as 'People of the Century.'
SERVICES: Public celebration scheduled at Kennolyn for April 25. Contact Kennolyn for information at 479-6714 or [email protected].
MARION'S OBITUARY #2 [names of living descendents removed]:
Santa Cruz Sentinel (01 APR 2009):
Marion Higginbotham Caldwell (1912-2009) CA
Marion Caldwell, known as "Aunt Marion" to thousands of Kennolyn Camps' campers, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 21st. She was 96 years old. Born in Winton, CA on September 1st, 1912 Marion was raised in California's Central Valley on the family's homesteaded ranch with sister Dorothy and brothers Earl and James Higginbotham. Her father was a teacher, eventually a superintendent of schools, and she too was called to a career in education. After attending Bakersfield Junior College and graduating from UC Berkeley, she taught Drama and Public Speaking to the diverse agricultural population at Fowler High School. At night she taught English to the immigrant Portuguese farm workers. It was in Fowler, in 1937 that she met, and 8 months later married, the love of her life -- another young teacher named Max Caldwell. In 1944, Marion was raising their two children (names removed) when Max joined the Navy during World War II. Through extensive correspondence they kept their spirits up by making plans to open a summer camp for kids upon his return from active service. That dream became a reality in 1946 when they opened Kennolyn Camps on land they purchased in a redwood forest above the town of Soquel. The first summer the couple invited their nieces and nephews to the camp to supplement the small group of paying customers. These young relatives naturally called them "Aunt Marion" and "Uncle Max." The names stuck and for generations of Kennolyn campers and staff it is how they will forever be remembered. Marion was a visionary and with her determination, keen business sense, and willingness to take the occasional risk, she was a natural entrepreneur. Their camp began to thrive, attracting campers from around the world. 2009 will be Kennolyn's 64th summer and the camp will continue to operate under the guidance of Max and Marion's family. Marion was honored many times for her work with children and summer camps. She was a founding member of the Western Association of Independent Camps and Board Member of the Northern California Section of the American Camp Association, was honored as a "Super Pioneer" by her camp director peers, and was recognized by the US Congress, the California Legislature and the Governor of California for her achievements. In 2000, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce listed her and Max as "People of the Century." Former California Secretary of State & State Senator Bruce McPherson commended them for "influencing the lives of thousands of young people." In 2003, a non-profit charity was created in their names by Kennolyn alumni and family to perpetuate Marion and Max's great legacy. The Max and Marion Caldwell Foundation provides pre-paid camperships to deserving youth at accredited Northern California camps. Marion is survived by her son (name removed) of Lafayette and daughter (name removed) of Watsonville, daughter-in-law (name removed), son-in-law (name removed), granddaughters
(name removed) of Menlo Park (General Manager of Kennolyn) and (name removed) of Capitola, grandson (name removed) of Hermosa Beach, and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Max. Family was her greatest love. A private family funeral was held on March 28th with a public memorial celebration scheduled at Kennolyn for Saturday April 25th. Please contact Kennolyn for information – 831-479-6714 or [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Aunt Marion's honor to the Max and Marion Caldwell Foundation (www.caldwellfoundation.org or PO Box 1653 Capitola, CA 95010).
CHILDREN [living]:
1) ___ Caldwell [son]
2) ___ Caldwell [daughter]
PARENTS: divorcée Bessie "Monnie" Evelyn (née Dean) Price b. 11 AUG 1884 Lodi, San Joaquin Co., CA; d. 21 JUL 1973 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA; m.#2 08 NOV 1911 Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA; Enos "Pop" Marion Higginbotham b. 31 JAN 1881 Jenny Lind Twp., Calaveras, Co., CA; d. 03 JUN 1978 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA. Both buried: Harmony Grove Cemetery, Lockeford, San Joaquin Co., CA. NOTE: They divorced prior to Monnie's Last Will & Testament written 23 DEC 1967.
SIBLINGS:
1) Marion Helene Higginbotham 1912-2009 [SELF]
2) James Marvin Higginbotham Sr. 1913-2005
3) Earl Raymond Higginbotham 1916-1967
HALF-SIBLING (from mother's first marriage 08 FEB 1903 to George Leon Price):
1) Dorothy "Dodo" Evelyn Price 1903-2000
Max and Marion Caldwell were the co-founders of Kennolyn Camp [cut & paste] http://www.kennolyn.com
MARION'S OBITUARY #1 [names of living descendents removed]:
Kennolyn Camp's 'Aunt Marion' dies at 96
SANTA CRUZ -- Tens of thousands of campers and counselors knew her as Aunt Marion.
Marion H. Caldwell, co-founder of Kennolyn Camps in the Soquel forest, shared a dream with her husband to open a school or camp for both boys and girls in the forties, and with $10,000 and a great deal of enthusiasm, the Caldwells made it happen in 1946.
Nearly reaching the 64th anniversary of the creation of the camp, Caldwell died at her Soquel home March 21. She was 96.
Born in Winton, Caldwell was raised in the Central Valley on her family's ranch, where she would help cut peaches and haul almonds every summer during her childhood. She often shared fond memories with her children of swimming in the irrigation ditches with her sister and brothers to pass the days of summer.
Later Caldwell was called to a career in education, following in the footsteps of her father. After attending Bakersfield Junior College and graduating from UC Berkeley, she taught drama and public speaking to students at Fowler High School. It was in Fowler in 1937 that she met, and eight months later married, another young teacher named Max Caldwell.
In 1944, while Max Caldwell was in the Navy during World War II, the couple dreamed up one of the first co-ed summer camps in California. Two years later, upon Max Caldwell's return, the couple saw an advertisement in the San Francisco Chronicle for the 60-acre plot of land above Soquel.
The first summer the couple invited their nieces and nephews to the camp to supplement the small group of paying customers. The young relatives naturally called them "Aunt Marion" and "Uncle Max." The names stuck and for generations of Kennolyn campers and staff.
Pat Veatch, longtime Kennolyn camper and counselor, remembered their genuine interest in each and every child.
"When campers talk with either Aunt Marion or Uncle Max, they felt at the center of their world with such a feeling of 'just me'," she said. "The campers delighted in it."
Described as quite the visionary, she was always looking for new and exciting things to adopt at Kennolyn.
Marion H. Caldwell
BORN: Sept. 1, 1912
DIED: March 21, 2009
HOME: Soquel
OCCUPATION: Retired Kennolyn Camps founder and co-director, drama and public speaking teacher
EDUCATION: Graduate of Bakersfield Junior College, teaching credential from UC Berkeley
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Founder of Kennolyn Camps, founding member of the Western Association of Independent Camps, board member of the Northern California Section of the American Camp Association, honored as a 'Super Pioneer' by her camp director peers, and was recognized by the U.S. Congress, the California Legislature and the governor of California for her achievements. In 2000, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce listed her and her husband Max as 'People of the Century.'
SERVICES: Public celebration scheduled at Kennolyn for April 25. Contact Kennolyn for information at 479-6714 or [email protected].
MARION'S OBITUARY #2 [names of living descendents removed]:
Santa Cruz Sentinel (01 APR 2009):
Marion Higginbotham Caldwell (1912-2009) CA
Marion Caldwell, known as "Aunt Marion" to thousands of Kennolyn Camps' campers, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 21st. She was 96 years old. Born in Winton, CA on September 1st, 1912 Marion was raised in California's Central Valley on the family's homesteaded ranch with sister Dorothy and brothers Earl and James Higginbotham. Her father was a teacher, eventually a superintendent of schools, and she too was called to a career in education. After attending Bakersfield Junior College and graduating from UC Berkeley, she taught Drama and Public Speaking to the diverse agricultural population at Fowler High School. At night she taught English to the immigrant Portuguese farm workers. It was in Fowler, in 1937 that she met, and 8 months later married, the love of her life -- another young teacher named Max Caldwell. In 1944, Marion was raising their two children (names removed) when Max joined the Navy during World War II. Through extensive correspondence they kept their spirits up by making plans to open a summer camp for kids upon his return from active service. That dream became a reality in 1946 when they opened Kennolyn Camps on land they purchased in a redwood forest above the town of Soquel. The first summer the couple invited their nieces and nephews to the camp to supplement the small group of paying customers. These young relatives naturally called them "Aunt Marion" and "Uncle Max." The names stuck and for generations of Kennolyn campers and staff it is how they will forever be remembered. Marion was a visionary and with her determination, keen business sense, and willingness to take the occasional risk, she was a natural entrepreneur. Their camp began to thrive, attracting campers from around the world. 2009 will be Kennolyn's 64th summer and the camp will continue to operate under the guidance of Max and Marion's family. Marion was honored many times for her work with children and summer camps. She was a founding member of the Western Association of Independent Camps and Board Member of the Northern California Section of the American Camp Association, was honored as a "Super Pioneer" by her camp director peers, and was recognized by the US Congress, the California Legislature and the Governor of California for her achievements. In 2000, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce listed her and Max as "People of the Century." Former California Secretary of State & State Senator Bruce McPherson commended them for "influencing the lives of thousands of young people." In 2003, a non-profit charity was created in their names by Kennolyn alumni and family to perpetuate Marion and Max's great legacy. The Max and Marion Caldwell Foundation provides pre-paid camperships to deserving youth at accredited Northern California camps. Marion is survived by her son (name removed) of Lafayette and daughter (name removed) of Watsonville, daughter-in-law (name removed), son-in-law (name removed), granddaughters
(name removed) of Menlo Park (General Manager of Kennolyn) and (name removed) of Capitola, grandson (name removed) of Hermosa Beach, and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Max. Family was her greatest love. A private family funeral was held on March 28th with a public memorial celebration scheduled at Kennolyn for Saturday April 25th. Please contact Kennolyn for information – 831-479-6714 or [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Aunt Marion's honor to the Max and Marion Caldwell Foundation (www.caldwellfoundation.org or PO Box 1653 Capitola, CA 95010).
Marion Helene Higginbotham b. 01 SEP 1912 Winton, Merced Co., CA; d. 21 MAR 2009 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA; m. 15 AUG 1937 McFarland, Kern Co., CA; Max Waterfield Caldwell b. 13 APR 1912 Lakeport, Lake Co., CA; d. 20 DEC 2004 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA. Both buried: Oakwood Cemetery, Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Co., CA.
CHILDREN [living]:
1) ___ Caldwell [son]
2) ___ Caldwell [daughter]
PARENTS: divorcée Bessie "Monnie" Evelyn (née Dean) Price b. 11 AUG 1884 Lodi, San Joaquin Co., CA; d. 21 JUL 1973 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA; m.#2 08 NOV 1911 Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA; Enos "Pop" Marion Higginbotham b. 31 JAN 1881 Jenny Lind Twp., Calaveras, Co., CA; d. 03 JUN 1978 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA. Both buried: Harmony Grove Cemetery, Lockeford, San Joaquin Co., CA. NOTE: They divorced prior to Monnie's Last Will & Testament written 23 DEC 1967.
SIBLINGS:
1) Marion Helene Higginbotham 1912-2009 [SELF]
2) James Marvin Higginbotham Sr. 1913-2005
3) Earl Raymond Higginbotham 1916-1967
HALF-SIBLING (from mother's first marriage 08 FEB 1903 to George Leon Price):
1) Dorothy "Dodo" Evelyn Price 1903-2000
Max and Marion Caldwell were the co-founders of Kennolyn Camp [cut & paste] http://www.kennolyn.com
MARION'S OBITUARY #1 [names of living descendents removed]:
Kennolyn Camp's 'Aunt Marion' dies at 96
SANTA CRUZ -- Tens of thousands of campers and counselors knew her as Aunt Marion.
Marion H. Caldwell, co-founder of Kennolyn Camps in the Soquel forest, shared a dream with her husband to open a school or camp for both boys and girls in the forties, and with $10,000 and a great deal of enthusiasm, the Caldwells made it happen in 1946.
Nearly reaching the 64th anniversary of the creation of the camp, Caldwell died at her Soquel home March 21. She was 96.
Born in Winton, Caldwell was raised in the Central Valley on her family's ranch, where she would help cut peaches and haul almonds every summer during her childhood. She often shared fond memories with her children of swimming in the irrigation ditches with her sister and brothers to pass the days of summer.
Later Caldwell was called to a career in education, following in the footsteps of her father. After attending Bakersfield Junior College and graduating from UC Berkeley, she taught drama and public speaking to students at Fowler High School. It was in Fowler in 1937 that she met, and eight months later married, another young teacher named Max Caldwell.
In 1944, while Max Caldwell was in the Navy during World War II, the couple dreamed up one of the first co-ed summer camps in California. Two years later, upon Max Caldwell's return, the couple saw an advertisement in the San Francisco Chronicle for the 60-acre plot of land above Soquel.
The first summer the couple invited their nieces and nephews to the camp to supplement the small group of paying customers. The young relatives naturally called them "Aunt Marion" and "Uncle Max." The names stuck and for generations of Kennolyn campers and staff.
Pat Veatch, longtime Kennolyn camper and counselor, remembered their genuine interest in each and every child.
"When campers talk with either Aunt Marion or Uncle Max, they felt at the center of their world with such a feeling of 'just me'," she said. "The campers delighted in it."
Described as quite the visionary, she was always looking for new and exciting things to adopt at Kennolyn.
Marion H. Caldwell
BORN: Sept. 1, 1912
DIED: March 21, 2009
HOME: Soquel
OCCUPATION: Retired Kennolyn Camps founder and co-director, drama and public speaking teacher
EDUCATION: Graduate of Bakersfield Junior College, teaching credential from UC Berkeley
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Founder of Kennolyn Camps, founding member of the Western Association of Independent Camps, board member of the Northern California Section of the American Camp Association, honored as a 'Super Pioneer' by her camp director peers, and was recognized by the U.S. Congress, the California Legislature and the governor of California for her achievements. In 2000, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce listed her and her husband Max as 'People of the Century.'
SERVICES: Public celebration scheduled at Kennolyn for April 25. Contact Kennolyn for information at 479-6714 or [email protected].
MARION'S OBITUARY #2 [names of living descendents removed]:
Santa Cruz Sentinel (01 APR 2009):
Marion Higginbotham Caldwell (1912-2009) CA
Marion Caldwell, known as "Aunt Marion" to thousands of Kennolyn Camps' campers, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 21st. She was 96 years old. Born in Winton, CA on September 1st, 1912 Marion was raised in California's Central Valley on the family's homesteaded ranch with sister Dorothy and brothers Earl and James Higginbotham. Her father was a teacher, eventually a superintendent of schools, and she too was called to a career in education. After attending Bakersfield Junior College and graduating from UC Berkeley, she taught Drama and Public Speaking to the diverse agricultural population at Fowler High School. At night she taught English to the immigrant Portuguese farm workers. It was in Fowler, in 1937 that she met, and 8 months later married, the love of her life -- another young teacher named Max Caldwell. In 1944, Marion was raising their two children (names removed) when Max joined the Navy during World War II. Through extensive correspondence they kept their spirits up by making plans to open a summer camp for kids upon his return from active service. That dream became a reality in 1946 when they opened Kennolyn Camps on land they purchased in a redwood forest above the town of Soquel. The first summer the couple invited their nieces and nephews to the camp to supplement the small group of paying customers. These young relatives naturally called them "Aunt Marion" and "Uncle Max." The names stuck and for generations of Kennolyn campers and staff it is how they will forever be remembered. Marion was a visionary and with her determination, keen business sense, and willingness to take the occasional risk, she was a natural entrepreneur. Their camp began to thrive, attracting campers from around the world. 2009 will be Kennolyn's 64th summer and the camp will continue to operate under the guidance of Max and Marion's family. Marion was honored many times for her work with children and summer camps. She was a founding member of the Western Association of Independent Camps and Board Member of the Northern California Section of the American Camp Association, was honored as a "Super Pioneer" by her camp director peers, and was recognized by the US Congress, the California Legislature and the Governor of California for her achievements. In 2000, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce listed her and Max as "People of the Century." Former California Secretary of State & State Senator Bruce McPherson commended them for "influencing the lives of thousands of young people." In 2003, a non-profit charity was created in their names by Kennolyn alumni and family to perpetuate Marion and Max's great legacy. The Max and Marion Caldwell Foundation provides pre-paid camperships to deserving youth at accredited Northern California camps. Marion is survived by her son (name removed) of Lafayette and daughter (name removed) of Watsonville, daughter-in-law (name removed), son-in-law (name removed), granddaughters
(name removed) of Menlo Park (General Manager of Kennolyn) and (name removed) of Capitola, grandson (name removed) of Hermosa Beach, and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Max. Family was her greatest love. A private family funeral was held on March 28th with a public memorial celebration scheduled at Kennolyn for Saturday April 25th. Please contact Kennolyn for information – 831-479-6714 or [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Aunt Marion's honor to the Max and Marion Caldwell Foundation (www.caldwellfoundation.org or PO Box 1653 Capitola, CA 95010).
CHILDREN [living]:
1) ___ Caldwell [son]
2) ___ Caldwell [daughter]
PARENTS: divorcée Bessie "Monnie" Evelyn (née Dean) Price b. 11 AUG 1884 Lodi, San Joaquin Co., CA; d. 21 JUL 1973 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA; m.#2 08 NOV 1911 Stockton, San Joaquin Co., CA; Enos "Pop" Marion Higginbotham b. 31 JAN 1881 Jenny Lind Twp., Calaveras, Co., CA; d. 03 JUN 1978 Soquel, Santa Cruz Co., CA. Both buried: Harmony Grove Cemetery, Lockeford, San Joaquin Co., CA. NOTE: They divorced prior to Monnie's Last Will & Testament written 23 DEC 1967.
SIBLINGS:
1) Marion Helene Higginbotham 1912-2009 [SELF]
2) James Marvin Higginbotham Sr. 1913-2005
3) Earl Raymond Higginbotham 1916-1967
HALF-SIBLING (from mother's first marriage 08 FEB 1903 to George Leon Price):
1) Dorothy "Dodo" Evelyn Price 1903-2000
Max and Marion Caldwell were the co-founders of Kennolyn Camp [cut & paste] http://www.kennolyn.com
MARION'S OBITUARY #1 [names of living descendents removed]:
Kennolyn Camp's 'Aunt Marion' dies at 96
SANTA CRUZ -- Tens of thousands of campers and counselors knew her as Aunt Marion.
Marion H. Caldwell, co-founder of Kennolyn Camps in the Soquel forest, shared a dream with her husband to open a school or camp for both boys and girls in the forties, and with $10,000 and a great deal of enthusiasm, the Caldwells made it happen in 1946.
Nearly reaching the 64th anniversary of the creation of the camp, Caldwell died at her Soquel home March 21. She was 96.
Born in Winton, Caldwell was raised in the Central Valley on her family's ranch, where she would help cut peaches and haul almonds every summer during her childhood. She often shared fond memories with her children of swimming in the irrigation ditches with her sister and brothers to pass the days of summer.
Later Caldwell was called to a career in education, following in the footsteps of her father. After attending Bakersfield Junior College and graduating from UC Berkeley, she taught drama and public speaking to students at Fowler High School. It was in Fowler in 1937 that she met, and eight months later married, another young teacher named Max Caldwell.
In 1944, while Max Caldwell was in the Navy during World War II, the couple dreamed up one of the first co-ed summer camps in California. Two years later, upon Max Caldwell's return, the couple saw an advertisement in the San Francisco Chronicle for the 60-acre plot of land above Soquel.
The first summer the couple invited their nieces and nephews to the camp to supplement the small group of paying customers. The young relatives naturally called them "Aunt Marion" and "Uncle Max." The names stuck and for generations of Kennolyn campers and staff.
Pat Veatch, longtime Kennolyn camper and counselor, remembered their genuine interest in each and every child.
"When campers talk with either Aunt Marion or Uncle Max, they felt at the center of their world with such a feeling of 'just me'," she said. "The campers delighted in it."
Described as quite the visionary, she was always looking for new and exciting things to adopt at Kennolyn.
Marion H. Caldwell
BORN: Sept. 1, 1912
DIED: March 21, 2009
HOME: Soquel
OCCUPATION: Retired Kennolyn Camps founder and co-director, drama and public speaking teacher
EDUCATION: Graduate of Bakersfield Junior College, teaching credential from UC Berkeley
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Founder of Kennolyn Camps, founding member of the Western Association of Independent Camps, board member of the Northern California Section of the American Camp Association, honored as a 'Super Pioneer' by her camp director peers, and was recognized by the U.S. Congress, the California Legislature and the governor of California for her achievements. In 2000, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce listed her and her husband Max as 'People of the Century.'
SERVICES: Public celebration scheduled at Kennolyn for April 25. Contact Kennolyn for information at 479-6714 or [email protected].
MARION'S OBITUARY #2 [names of living descendents removed]:
Santa Cruz Sentinel (01 APR 2009):
Marion Higginbotham Caldwell (1912-2009) CA
Marion Caldwell, known as "Aunt Marion" to thousands of Kennolyn Camps' campers, died peacefully at her home on Saturday, March 21st. She was 96 years old. Born in Winton, CA on September 1st, 1912 Marion was raised in California's Central Valley on the family's homesteaded ranch with sister Dorothy and brothers Earl and James Higginbotham. Her father was a teacher, eventually a superintendent of schools, and she too was called to a career in education. After attending Bakersfield Junior College and graduating from UC Berkeley, she taught Drama and Public Speaking to the diverse agricultural population at Fowler High School. At night she taught English to the immigrant Portuguese farm workers. It was in Fowler, in 1937 that she met, and 8 months later married, the love of her life -- another young teacher named Max Caldwell. In 1944, Marion was raising their two children (names removed) when Max joined the Navy during World War II. Through extensive correspondence they kept their spirits up by making plans to open a summer camp for kids upon his return from active service. That dream became a reality in 1946 when they opened Kennolyn Camps on land they purchased in a redwood forest above the town of Soquel. The first summer the couple invited their nieces and nephews to the camp to supplement the small group of paying customers. These young relatives naturally called them "Aunt Marion" and "Uncle Max." The names stuck and for generations of Kennolyn campers and staff it is how they will forever be remembered. Marion was a visionary and with her determination, keen business sense, and willingness to take the occasional risk, she was a natural entrepreneur. Their camp began to thrive, attracting campers from around the world. 2009 will be Kennolyn's 64th summer and the camp will continue to operate under the guidance of Max and Marion's family. Marion was honored many times for her work with children and summer camps. She was a founding member of the Western Association of Independent Camps and Board Member of the Northern California Section of the American Camp Association, was honored as a "Super Pioneer" by her camp director peers, and was recognized by the US Congress, the California Legislature and the Governor of California for her achievements. In 2000, the Aptos Chamber of Commerce listed her and Max as "People of the Century." Former California Secretary of State & State Senator Bruce McPherson commended them for "influencing the lives of thousands of young people." In 2003, a non-profit charity was created in their names by Kennolyn alumni and family to perpetuate Marion and Max's great legacy. The Max and Marion Caldwell Foundation provides pre-paid camperships to deserving youth at accredited Northern California camps. Marion is survived by her son (name removed) of Lafayette and daughter (name removed) of Watsonville, daughter-in-law (name removed), son-in-law (name removed), granddaughters
(name removed) of Menlo Park (General Manager of Kennolyn) and (name removed) of Capitola, grandson (name removed) of Hermosa Beach, and many great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Max. Family was her greatest love. A private family funeral was held on March 28th with a public memorial celebration scheduled at Kennolyn for Saturday April 25th. Please contact Kennolyn for information – 831-479-6714 or [email protected]. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made in Aunt Marion's honor to the Max and Marion Caldwell Foundation (www.caldwellfoundation.org or PO Box 1653 Capitola, CA 95010).
Inscription
Caldwell
TOGETHER FOREVER
MAX W. MARION H.
Kennolyn's
[left side]
"Uncle Max"
APRIL 13, 1912
DECEMBER 20, 2004
[right side]
"Aunt Marion"
SEPTEMBER 1, 1912
MARCH 21, 2009
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