Marilyn Fike lived a life full of love, family and adventures. When she passed away in 2014, Marilyn's daughter Melissa organized a Custom Grove.

After many friends and family members contributed, Marilyn's Grove ended up with 90 trees in Mendocino National Forest in California. It was a total pleasure to work with this family as we shared a lot of correspondence about the grove and their planned visit over the course of the last two years.

On Father's Day weekend of this year, 10 of Marilyn's family and friends from all over the western U.S. made a pilgrimage to see her trees. Below is part of the story shared with us by Dick, Marilyn's husband of 60 years.  Photos were shared by Melissa.

"Saturday June 18th family and friends gathered at Granzella's in Williams. Melissa totally surprised me with a memorial pictorial book depicting Marilyn's life chronologically.  It is beautiful!  I was a blubbering mess for a long time.

Sunday morning we set off in two 4 wheel drive SUV's. It was a joy to find some of Marilyn's trees.  The natural rejuvenation of the forest surprised me.  Mother Nature is wonderful!  The trees are thriving.   It was a Grand Experience for everyone!

Monday we went home; some to Seattle, one to Forestville, two to Sebastopol, two to Pleasant Hill, two to Sacramento and two to San Jose.  

And it was Father's Day - certainly the best I've ever had and will never forget.

As I said in the beginning, this all was possible because of your vision.  

Bless you and thank you!"

Dick Fike