Marlene Dehner

Marlene Dehner of Clifton Park, New York, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed peacefully from this world on July 16, leaving behind a symphony of beautiful memories that touched many lives. Born on August 12, 1945, in Taylor, PA, Marlene was the daughter of Alex Bekanich and Edna Marsh Bekanich.
Marlene's early years were spent within the nurturing care and affection of her extended family, especially her dear grandmother, Anna "Mom" Marsh. She enjoyed a vibrant childhood growing up in Avoca, PA, often filled with adventures in her Uncle Edmund's TV retail and repair shop, a fixture within the close-knit community. It was this childhood – and those who surrounded her – that inspired her lifelong passions: family, music, and cooking.
Early days for Marlene were filled with song, including regular family jam sessions with her grandfather (a musician in Artie Shaw's band!) setting the tempo. Marlene was an accomplished pianist and organist from a young age, who thrived on lighting up family gatherings and church services with the sound of music. Her nimble hands, impeccable memory and penchant for tidiness led her to a secretary position at SUNY Binghamton in the Chemistry department, which she found immensely fulfilling both professionally and personally: a young Chemistry professor there, who shared her unusual background as a Church organist, became the love of her life. Tom and Marlene married in 1972.
The couple lived in Buffalo and Saratoga Springs before settling in Clifton Park, where they lived in the same house from 1979 onwards with their three children. Impromptu pool parties were frequent, and Marlene relished her role as hostess. Cooking was Marlene's love language, a bridge that linked family and friends, uniting them under her hospitable roof where every guest felt at home. Neighborhood children and moms were part of a larger family unit under Marlene's domain-a master organizer whose poolside order was maintained with playful yet purposeful authority – and a whistle to keep the swimmers in check. Her children's school music classes and chorus concerts were elevated with her accompaniment, and she shared her love of music with her children. The family spent many summer nights under the stars at SPAC, reveling in the sounds of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She continued with her career as a secretary for many years, shifting the focus from higher ed to law firms, which she found equally exciting.
Unmatched by anything else in her life was Marlene's love for her family - a love and pride she often expressed to anyone within hearing distance. She was their champion, and they will miss her dearly.
Marlene is survived by her husband, Thomas Dehner, with whom she recently celebrated 53 years of marriage; their children Jeffrey (Mary Lou), Kevin (Tara), and Carolyn (Phillip Ortiz); and seven beloved grandchildren - Riley, Eli, Myla, Cora, Olivia, Thomas, and Luke. Also carrying forth her legacy is her brother Ronald Bekanich (Marjorie), as she joins her brother, David, in eternal life. Marlene's love transcended family bonds; it expanded to the many friends who adored her and accompanied her on her life's journey.
The depths of Marlene's character, encompassing a hearty spirit and a voracious appetite for life, leave an irreplaceable void in the lives she graced. As we remember her influence and immense presence, we humbly ask that those who wish to remember her do so by making a donation to CAPTAIN Community Human Services or SPAC in lieu of flowers and join the family for the calling hours on Tuesday July 22 from 9 AM to 11 AM at Catricala Funeral Home, followed immediately by a service at 11.