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1225 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, California
Marlene Alves Obituary
February 21, 1937 - March 27, 2024
"87 springs after she borrowed her stardust from the universe, it was time for it to be returned."
"She has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much;
Who has enjoyed the trust of good women, the respect of good men, and the love of little children;
Who has filled her niche and accomplished her task;
Who has never lacked appreciation of life's beauty or failed to express it;
Who has left the world better than she found it,
Whether an improved community need, a shared laugh, or a rescued soul;
Who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best she had;
Whose life was an inspiration; Whose memory a benediction."
Marlene Joyce Alves (Baratta), age 87, entered the world into a close Italian community on February 21st, 1937 in Madera, California to parents Guido and Gilda Baratta. She later embraced a move to Santa Rosa with her then husband, George Alves, and two young children. After raising two wonderful young men, her academic journey took a significant turn at Sonoma State University with a mid-life graduation, as she continued her lifelong dedication to community matters and helping those in need. She worked for many years at the Petaluma People's Services as an employment counselor. Marlene's illness concluded peacefully, on March 27th, as she firmly supported California's End of Life Options. She leaves behind two sons, Michael (Barbara) Alves and Marc (Tina) Alves, her sister, Jo Ann (Frank) Weingart, grandchildren Rachel Alves, Elleanna Gilmore and Ted Barton, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and just as dear to her as her family, her beloved friends, who will all miss her dearly.
At the request of Marlene, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, please remember her in your next act of kindness or consider a donation in her memory to Sutter Hospice of Santa Rosa, 110 Stony Point Rd #200C, Santa Rosa, CA 95401 or The California Innocence Project at 225 Cedar St., San Diego, CA 92101.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Marlene Alves
Sponsored by Daniels Chapel of the Roses Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. - Santa Rosa Daniels Chapel of the Rose.
Janie Read
March 19, 2025
I am a neighbor and we met when she came to a sourdough event I had at my house in fall of `23. She was a lovely person and while she had fun she decided that making and baking sourdough was too much for her. I was saddened to no she was no longer with us but know she is soaring high as an angel in heaven. Rest well and keep an eye on us down here Marlene.
Barb
February 15, 2025
I keep wanting to forward things to Marlene! Surely there´s an app for the afterlife?
Judith Hower
November 14, 2024
My dearest, precious Marlene: You are one of the kindest people that I have ever encountered on this earth. We met at Angela Center, and despite the fact that we were very different, you welcomed me with open arms. You told me that I was your first lesbian friend. I´m sure that you are having a great time in whatever dimension that you are in. And I am sure that you are surrounded by beings that recognize you for the precious angel that you are.
Barb Dunaway
April 15, 2024
Marlene, one of the sweetest women I´ve known. We met through the Mother´s of Military group where Care Packages were shipped World Wide to our Deployed Soldiers and she loved it.
I will miss her chats on Facebook.
Rest in Love Marlene
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Jill Jackson
April 5, 2024
Mike and Mark and Families,
Your mom radiated warmth, joy and kindness. I know you will miss her. Her memory will indeed be a blessing to you and all lucky to have known her.
Jill Jackson
Barb
April 2, 2024
Good one, Mary! Thank you so much for that.
Barbara
April 2, 2024
THE FAIRY GODMOTHER
Back in the '60s, Marlene acquired a silver dress--store bought too, despite her expert skill at sewing. It was sort of a choir robe with delusions of grandeur, but shorter and sassier. She chose it for a company holiday party, but at the last minute her famous intuition prompted her to wear something else instead...sure enough, when she arrived, another woman at a nearby table was wearing the exact same dress!
But there were other occasions where the silver dress saw the light of day-or night-accessorized with a beehive wig that defied gravity in the style of the day. Marlene came from a family so frugal that her mother was scolded by her dad if she purchased a tomato that could have been grown at home, so Marlene was an avid recycler before the word was ever invented. The silver dress remained in her closet for decades past its heyday.
By 1983, Marlene was in a post-divorce funk, and Mike and I thought it would cheer her up to take her out dancing on Halloween night. The trusty silver dress took the spotlight again after a whimsical makeover with wings, a tiara, and a magic wand turned her into a "Fairy Godmother"...because nothing says "I'm over it" like granting wishes while burning up the dance floor.
Fast forward to 2024: Marlene´s illness had worsened, and her children began to hover, anxious to provide every comfort. But despite her waning strength, Marlene wryly appeared in her bed with hair and makeup fully complete, including favorite earrings. The silver Fairy Godmother dress made another impish appearance, peeping out from beneath her bedsheets, and if it hadn´t been synthetic, she probably would have ironed it too.
Barb
Barbara Caswell
April 1, 2024
THE FAIRY GODMOTHER
Back in the '60s, Marlene acquired a silver dress--store bought too, despite her expert skill at sewing. It was sort of a choir robe with delusions of grandeur, but shorter and sassier. She chose it for a company holiday party, but at the last minute her famous intuition prompted her to wear something else instead...sure enough, when she arrived, another woman at a nearby table was wearing the exact same dress!
But there were other occasions where the silver dress saw the light of day-or night-accessorized with a beehive wig that defied gravity in the style of the day. Marlene came from a family so frugal that her mother was scolded by her dad if she purchased a tomato that could have been grown at home, so Marlene was an avid recycler before the word was ever invented. The silver dress remained in her closet for decades past its heyday.
By 1983, Marlene was in a post-divorce funk, and Mike and I thought it would cheer her up to take her out dancing on Halloween night. The trusty silver dress took the spotlight again after a whimsical makeover with wings, a tiara, and a magic wand turned her into a "Fairy Godmother"...because nothing says "I'm over it" like granting wishes while burning up the dance floor.
Fast forward to 2024: Marlene´s illness had worsened, and her children began to hover, anxious to provide every comfort. But despite her waning strength, Marlene wryly appeared in her bed with hair and makeup fully complete, including favorite earrings. The silver Fairy Godmother dress made another impish appearance, peeping out from beneath her bedsheets, and if it hadn´t been synthetic, she probably would have ironed it too.
B
Barbara Caswell
April 1, 2024
Such wonderful photos--so many the family has never seen! Thank you all for your contributions!
Mary Schexnaydre
April 1, 2024
Boy, do I have a memory for you...
Many years ago, Marlene signed up for a dance class. After it was over, she told me about the fantastic partner she'd had--handsome, fun, sweet, with a great sense of humor. They'd made a wonderful connection, and she was sad it was over. I said, "Why don't you just take the class again? Where's your partner?" She replied, "With his parents." I said, "What??" Marlene explained that her partner was only 14 years old; the dance class had been a gift from his grandparents. The poor kid was dreading dance class until he showed up and met Marlene! They became friends and had a wonderful time. When he showed up in a black shirt, she complimented him for wearing his color. It fills my heart with happiness to remember this. <3
Paula Chiotti
April 1, 2024
Paula Chiotti
April 1, 2024
Paula Chiotti
April 1, 2024
Trying again. Marlene showed me her house before she moved in. We had fun goofing around with some of the staging items.
Susan Yarbrough
April 1, 2024
Marlene was a wonderful person, she did a lot of good work for a lot of people, and the world was a better place with her in it. She will be missed.
Valerie McKamey
March 31, 2024
I'm going to miss my theater buddy and dear friend. Marlene was lovely. I will miss her humor, advice, and grace. Valerie McKamey
Paula
March 31, 2024
Paula
March 31, 2024
Paula
March 31, 2024
Spring 2013 - posing in her house with the staging props.
Patt
March 31, 2024
To my lifelong childhood friend, I say thank you for the memories! As in life, you handled the return to your home with grace. How I will miss following all your FB fines that opened my and yet gave me many laughs! You will be missed Marlene!
Patt
Mike Baratta
March 31, 2024
Your warmth will be missed.
Ellen Johnson
March 30, 2024
Marlene was a dear friend. She was part of our Eat Paste Love art-making group. Lots of fun, sweet times together. I´m blessed to have had her in my life.
Ellen Johnson
Carol Davis
March 29, 2024
Just look at that classy lady in her denim jacket and holding up the bubbly. Marlene delighted in flowers, excursions, luncheons, art and helping people. She had a fine eye for color and beauty. I will miss you my sweet friend.
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