Marianne H. Pulfer, a 60-year resident of Pacific Palisades, passed away at home surrounded by family on March 16 after a brave three-year battle with lung cancer. She was 83. Born in Chicago on June 7, 1925, Marianne attended the University of New Mexico. After returning to Chicago, she held several jobs, including a window dresser at Macy’s and a producer of one the first daytime television shows in Chicago. She was offered the position of first editor of Seventeen magazine and always regretted turning that offer down. Being extremely creative and talented, Marianne continued to utilize her skills throughout her life. She married John Pulfer in 1946. They moved to California two years later, following his parents, who had moved here earlier. Her parents followed, relocating to Pacific Palisades, where the young couple built their first house. John was an account executive for Pacific Telephone Company. In 1962, after being an active member in the Pacific Palisades Junior Women’s Club for many years, Marianne helped form Las Doradas, a social group of craft-oriented women who used their talents to benefit others. The group worked tirelessly over the years holding luncheons and selling handcrafted goods to benefit underprivileged children. The Las Doradas Children’s Center, a licensed child-care facility that provides full-time day-care to low-income working families living in Venice and Mar Vista, was officially dedicated in 1990. In addition to her charity endeavors, Marianne started her own business, Poko Loko, in 1975. The company manufactures women’s tennis and golf hats that are sold in resorts worldwide. Marianne was a devoted daughter to her mother and stepfather, Clara and Joseph Leske, whom she cared for until their deaths in 1998 and 2000, respectively, and to her father Robert Howard of St. Petersburg, Florida. Predeceased by her husband, John, in 1997, Marianne is survived by two daughters, Kathy Wishard of El Segundo and Sue Crysel (husband Robert) of Costa Mesa, and granddaughter Mia. Over the years, the Pulfers opened their home to anyone who needed a place to stay, including friends of their daughters who, for one reason or another, couldn’t stay at home. Marianne held a special place in the hearts of those children as well as in the hearts of her own family. Because of Marianne’s love of Hawaii, an aloha celebration of her life will be held this Saturday, April 4, at 12 noon at the family home, 710 Hartzell St. Those wishing to pay tribute to Marianne are welcomed. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations in Marianne’s name be mailed to the Premiere Oncology Foundation, 2020 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 600, Santa Monica, CA 90404, or to the Las Doradas Children’s Center, P.O. Box 1345, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.
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