It is with sadness that we report the passing of Marilyn Sweeney on May 10th, 2013. Marilyn was a generous philanthropist, mainly supporting activities and ventures involving music and the fine arts. She was known for her contagious smile and genuine nature and will be remembered fondly for her generosity and spirit.
In honor of a major donation made by Jack and Marilyn Sweeney in 1994, the Granite Mountains Reserve was renamed the Jack and Marilyn Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center. The endowment entrusted to the Center in their name has provided a means to cover some of the core operating costs for the reserve, as the UC-provided operating budget has always failed to meet the needs of even fundamental costs such as maintaining photovoltaic systems and providing propane to heat the facilities. Without the generosity of these two individuals the reserve would be sorely lacking in the most basic of services.