Pleasant Hill 

Marjorie (Mimi) Hansen Evans, age 60, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 11 at John Muir Hospital with her daughter Annie holding her hand after a short illness. Mimi’s warm smile, graceful appearance and loving personality could brighten anyone’s day. She is leaving this world far too soon and will be missed terribly by her large family and many friends.

Mimi was born in Sacramento on April 11,1964 to Donald Hansen and Diane Fontaine and was soon joined by sisters Inge and Julie. After Donald and Diane’s marriage ended, Don remarried Meg Bell in 1974 and Mimi was joined by step-siblings Mike and Katie Newell. Mimi was the classic big sister – kind, wise beyond her years, was a calming influence on her brother and sisters and a great help to her parents.

Mimi attended Encina High School and after graduation in 1982, enrolled at the University of Southern California. Mimi loved everything about USC – the social life, football games, and even the education. Mimi thrived at USC and joined the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority as a freshman, where she developed many lifelong friendships. During her time in Los Angeles, she met John Marinchak. They were married in 1992 in Sacramento and settled in Walnut Creek. They started a family with the birth of daughter Kate in 1993 and twins Annie and John in 1996. Mimi adored being a mother and was active at her children’s schools and sports activities, especially the Dewing Park Swim Team. Over time, she developed an extensive network of friends in the Walnut Creek area and cherished these close relationships.

After Mimi and John’s marriage ended, Mimi began a career in home staging that harnessed her aptitude for fashion and style. In 2008, Mimi met Duke Evans. They enjoyed traveling internationally, attending SF Giants games, and watching college football, especially her beloved Trojans. Mimi and Duke were married in Santa Barbara in 2018.

Mimi became a grandmother with the births of Duke’s grandsons Jackson and Hunter Harkins, and with the birth of Annie’s son Miller Murphy this past January. Mimi adored spending time with her grandchildren.

Mimi is preceded in death by her sister Inge, father Don and mother Diane. She is survived by husband Duke, daughters Kate and Annie (Michael), son John, grandsons Jackson, Hunter, and Miller, stepdaughters Rachel Harkins (Brandon) and Whitney Evans, stepmother Meg Hansen, siblings Julie Skelly (Christian), Mike Newell (Jenifer), Katie Dudensing (Ed), and 9 nieces and nephews who love her dearly.

Mimi’s family would like to extend their appreciation to the staff at John Muir Medical Center Walnut Creek for the excellent care and comfort they provided to Mimi during her final six weeks of life and their support of the family. An intimate Celebration of Life is being planned for a later date. Rest in peace, Mimi… you brightened our lives!