Marjorie Evelyn Chaknova

Marjorie E. Chaknova died at 96 on October 29, 2026, of complications from age related dementia. Marjorie Evelyn Tarlin was born on July 25, 1930, in San Francisco, California. She was the second daughter of Leo and Vera Tarlin, who immigrated to the United States in 1919 during the Russian Civil War.

A first-generation American, Marjorie graduated from George Washington High School in San Francisco. She met Bernard Chaknova at a Jewish-sponsored youth dance, and they married in 1949, when she was 19. They welcomed sons Jeffrey Alan in 1951, David Edward 1953 and Paul Russel 1956. The family moved from Ulloa Street in San Francisco's Sunset District to Millbrae, where Marjorie served as librarian at Millbrae Meadows Elementary School for over 25 years.

Marjorie was known for her famous Chaknova rice, Russian tea cakes, homemade piroshki, and bottled dill pickles.

Later in life, Marjorie accompanied Bernard on business trips to Asia and Europe. Her favorite destinations were Hong Kong and Hawaii.

Bernie and Marjorie lived in their dream home in Hillsborough, California, for nearly 20 years before moving to The Stratford in San Mateo, where they could live independently with assisted-living services available.

Devoted San Francisco Giants and 49ers fans, Bernie and Marjorie held 49ers season tickets for many years.

Committed to helping others, Bernie and Marjorie received a 50-year lifetime achievement award for their work with B'nai Brith. Marjorie also volunteered with a nonprofit theater group that performed at hospitals, schools, and assisted-living facilities, as well as Senior is Show Biz. Both of which she performed in well into her 80's.

Marjorie was a proud grandmother of 5 grandchildren, and 2 great grand-children.

Marjorie was preceded in death by Bernard, her husband of 65 years, in 2014, and sons Jeff and Paul in 2021. She is survived by her son David Chaknova; Jeff's wife, Helen Chaknova, grandchildren Dan and his wife Mandy, Sam Chaknova, Marcus Chaknova and his wife Skye, Ryan Chaknova, and Rachel and her husband Alec Taylor; great-grandchildren Lenna and Poppy; nieces Gwen Tosco, Susie Geminani, and Nancy Chaknova, Elaine Bosco, Ron Chaknova and nephew Bruce Dietch.

A funeral service will be held at Sinai Chapel in Colma at 11 a.m. on November 2, 2026, followed by burial at Home and Peace Cemetery beside her husband, Bernard Chaknova. Many thanks to the wonderful Hospice team and care members at Kensington for past 6 years.

In lieu of flowers, please support B'nai Brith of San Francisco or Peninsula Temple Shalom (Rabbi Discretionary Fund) in Burlingame, California, two organizations Marjorie cherished.