Marlene Mae Pool

Mrs. Marlene Mae (Portesi) Pool, 81, of Shiro, Texas passed away from her long battle with Alzheimer's on May 11, 2024 leaving a void her family cannot fill. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 25, 2024 at 10:00 am at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Anderson, Texas.

Marlene was born in Los Angeles, California on May 28, 1942 to Louis Vance Portesi & Elaine Gertrude (Mountain) Portesi.

In 1967 while in Pasadena, California, she met her true love and husband of 57 years, Wilber Charles Pool, who continued loving her through it all. Moving to Houston, Texas in the early 1970's, they opened a restaurant together (Carpenter's Café) which they had for many years. After closing the restaurant, Marlene worked for various chain restaurants. Beloved mother to 5 children with the insatiable desire to show them that you can overcome any barriers and seeking personal growth, she took herself to college in her late 50's (taking night classes) to learn office skills, typing & computers. This drive landed her an office job working for DHL for many years before retiring.

As a young girl, she had great aspirations of becoming a famous ice skater though found motherhood would be her greater blessing. During her adult years she found the love of bowling & softball, enjoying having her closest friends and family on her teams. Later in life she found a passion for knitting and sewing, especially for her children and grandchildren. Upon retirement, Marlene dove all-in with her Catholic faith. She inserted herself into a new church family (St. Stanislaus in Anderson, Texas) and was blessed with so many new friendships throughout the new community she was happy to call home.

Anyone that had the pleasure of meeting Marlene found the treasure of a true friend always greeting you with a smile. Marlene's gift was the immense love she had for everyone, especially her family. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by family.

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take."

Survived by:

Her husband of 57 years, Wilber Charles Pool;

Her two sons Mark Lane Boling, Matthew Louis Boling & Lori Osipov;

Her three daughters Teresa Mae Stark, Tina Marie Layton, Ann-Marie McElroy & husband Danny McElroy.

Her eleven grandchildren: Shawn Anthony Stark and wife Dawn, Shelby Ann Stark, Shea Ashley Stark; Laura Marie Bryck & husband Chris, Donald Ray Smith & Alicia Barry, Chelsea Ware & husband Shane, Laney Layton & Luis, Matthew Boling Jr. & Jade, Kristen Rena McElroy, Sara Elizabeth (McElroy) Simmons & husband Robert, & Tyler Wayne McElroy and wife Courtney; and

Her eighteen great grandchildren: Madison Hicks, Romeo Cantu, Braiden Bryck, Mason Bryck, Joseph Barry, Walker Ware, Gwendolyn Boling, Matthew Boling III, Austin Boling, Becky Ann Simmons, Robert James Simmons, Trenton Wayne Simmons, Tyler Lee Simmons, Peyton Elizabeth Simmons, Rylie Gage Simmons, Mason Scott McElroy, Bailey Marie McElroy & Katie Ellen McElroy.



Preceded in death by her father & mother, sister - Patricia Portesi Dowling & brother - Louis Vincent Portesi.

Marlene's life, a life well lived full of faith & family. No one spread more love in one lifetime. Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories. Marlene left a long trail.

For those that desire, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Alzheimer Research Fund https:/act.alz.org/donate .