Marlyn was born in Hilo, Hawaii on June 13, 1936 to her father, Mun Leon Chang, who was a physician in general practice in Hilo, and her mother, Mew Keam Chock, who was a primary school teacher in Hilo. She was raised as one of three girls, along with her sisters Karen and Luanne. Marlyn went to elementary school and high school in Hawaii before going to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she majored in English. There she met Rodney Chan, then a student in Medical School, and married him in 1960. They lived in Madison, Wisconsin; San Francisco; San Antonio, Texas; Madison, Wisconsin again; and Fresno, California, before settling in Orange County, California in 1970.

Marlyn loved to play the piano, listen to jazz and musicals, and sing. She was an active member of The Village Chorale of Laguna Woods, The Laguna Woods Chorale, and The Saddleback Emeritus Chorale, for many years. She enjoyed playing tennis in both singles and doubles. Marlyn had a passion for local politics and was a member of the Democratic Club in both Orange County and the Laguna Woods Democratic Club, where she resided.

Marlyn is survived by her sister Karen Tan; her two children, David Chan and his wife Rebecca; and Paul Chan and his wife Janice; as well as her two grandchildren: Bailey Chan and Brian Chan. Her youngest sister Luanne Brenman, of San Francisco and Eureka, California, passed away in 2015.

Marlyn died peacefully at 85 years young, with her children and her grandchildren near her, on the morning of August 30, 2023. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial service on Thursday, September 14th at 12:00pm at McCormick & Son Mortuaries, 25002 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA. Reception to follow.