Marilyn Ann Stotko Moretti

Marilyn Ann Stotko Moretti passed away on November 7, 2023. The beloved wife of former Assembly Speaker Bob Moretti died at the age of 85 after a lengthy illness that took her body but could not dampen her spirit.

Born in St. Cloud, Minnesota to Ed and Helen Stotko, Marilyn was the second oldest of eight children. A true midwestern girl at heart, she embodied all that was good and right. On a trip to California, when she was just 14 she met Bob at a church dance. That very night he told his friend that he was “going to marry that girl”. Theirs was a love story that is written about in beautiful literature and poetry. The summer of 1958, after Bob’s graduation from the University of Notre Dame, they were married in Minnesota and shortly thereafter moved to the San Fernando Valley in California. Married more than 25 years before Bob’s untimely death, Marilyn was a loving, dedicated wife and partner.

Marilyn devoted her life to her family and called her children her greatest achievement. She had the additional pleasure, which she called a true gift, of nurturing and caring for her eight grandchildren and that she did! “Grammy” created a special bond with each of them that continues to this day. 

Marilyn was an avid reader, and world traveler. Always a perpetual learner, after her children were grown she earned her contractor’s license and began flipping houses. She loved to play and watch tennis, and to cheer on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. She cherished her friendships and was a best friend to many. Ask anyone whoever knew Marilyn to tell you about her and they would say, “Marilyn was the kindest, sweetest, most loving and selfless person they have ever known”. She was the loyal friend in whom one could always confide. Marilyn created a home where everyone wanted to congregate and all were welcome. She was the quintessential “cool Mom”. Her dedication went beyond her family and friends. Marilyn was a fierce proponent for children, and of dedicated politicians who worked hard for the greater good of all people. She worked tirelessly to support those who stood up for human rights and believed that ALL people have a right to liberty and justice. Marilyn will forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of all who knew and loved her. On the days before her death, in true Marilyn form, she said, “I’m the luckiest person”. 

Marilyn served on the board of the Bob Moretti Memorial Scholarship Foundation, providing scholarships to two Notre Dame students each year and hundreds of California students connected to the Capitol. She had deep compassion for the downtrodden, the underdog, those in need and dedicated time and money to many causes including the Sacramento Food Bank, Cristo Rey High School, St. John’s Women’s Shelter, Loaves & Fishes and Planned Parenthood. 

Marilyn was predeceased by her cherished husband, his brother Louie, their parents, her older brother Jerry, and brother-in-law Dave Schleicher. She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Michael and Dee Moretti, Marina and Kenton Kunz, Leslie and Matthew Jaime, Matthew and Ermelinda Moretti; and her grandchildren Timothy, Stephanie, Jillian, Alyssa, Christopher, Madeline, Kaitlin, and Samantha. She is also survived by her siblings Judy Barg(Bill), Kay Danzl(Denny), Jim Stotko(Mary), Mike Stotko(Dots), Jan Schleicher, Val Philippi(Ron), Marie Moretti(Terry McGann), Gina Moretti, Janie Stotko and their families. Marilyn also took a deep personal interest in the lives of many nieces and nephews whom she absolutely adored. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to Cristo Rey High School or River Oak Center for Children. 

A funeral service is planned for Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at St. Francis of Assisi Church at 10:00am.