Marlene A. Lauenstein

Heaven gained an angel when Marlene left us, and she will forever live in our hearts. Marlene Lauenstein, mother of my best friend Susan Gilbert. Marlene, we remember you for your beautiful heart and how much you welcomed all.

I´m sharing my favorite memory, and one of my all-time favorite personal memories. Susan Gilbert and I visited at Christmas I think 2011 or 2012...5 kids in tow from FL. You welcomed us all in and the basement full! Add Logan and 6! Let´s just say times were tough for both Susan and I and we on major small budgets. But...this happened!!!

We cashed in flight points, flew to you, went to goodwill in Aurora to suit up the kids fresh off the plane with snow gear! Marlene got saucers off Craigslist yeah kids flew on snow saucers on uncharted land. Maybe illegal. We had THE BEST Christmas vacation ever!! House jammed packed with kids and THIS was and is everything.

That trip embodied everything beautiful about Marlene's spirit-her giving heart, her welcoming nature, and her incredible ability to make any situation feel like home.

Thank you, Marlene, for showing us what unconditional love looks like. Your legacy lives on in all the lives you touched.

With love and gratitude,
Amy Weiss