Yesterday, Florida Atlantic University lost a true friend with the passing of Marilyn C. Link. As the matriarch and director emerita of FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, no one advocated more for its success, vitality and legacy than Marilyn. Her brother, famed inventor Edwin A. Link, was the visionary for Harbor Branch who inspired Seward Johnson Sr. to become its founder in 1971. The two men relied on Marilyn in many ways, including asking her to serve as its first managing director.

For more than four decades, Marilyn demonstrated her commitment to Harbor Branch in countless ways. She played a key role in the collaboration between FAU and Harbor Branch that quite literally opened up an ocean of opportunity for students and faculty. Her support continued when Harbor Branch became a unit of FAU in 2007, helping to make internships available to generations of students, giving them the priceless experience of working with world-class ocean engineers and marine scientists.

In 2012, Marilyn received the President’s Distinguished Service Medallion Award for her staunch advocacy of Harbor Branch research and educational programs, active engagement with university leadership, participation on the HBOI Foundation Board of Directors, personal charitable contributions and supporting the renowned FAU Harbor Branch Summer Intern Program through her beloved Link Foundation. Over the years, she played an integral role in carrying out the mission of the Foundation, which has provided more than $13 million in grants to universities and nonprofit organizations since its inception. In fact, in 1965, FAU established the first undergraduate ocean engineering program in the country, with help from a grant from the Link Foundation.

Marilyn’s determination made a lasting impact on the lives of countless students, faculty and staff, myself included. She lived a fascinating life, working as a school teacher, college professor, sales executive and editor at the Smithsonian Institution at different points in her career. She also was a licensed commercial pilot.

Marilyn will be remembered for her quick wit and ability to make a room full of people laugh, while inspiring them with her philosophy of working tirelessly and giving whole-heartedly to the cause that you believe in most. Just last week, she attended a Link Foundation Board meeting at FAU Harbor Branch. We find comfort in knowing that she was able to do what she loved until her last moments. Marilyn Link’s legacy lives on in an immeasurable way and will forever be part of the fabric of FAU.