About
Marlene Oberst Obituary
Marlene was raised in Miami Beach, Florida. She graduated the University of Miami in 1964 with a Bachelor's degree in Education. Prior to opening the Shop in 1980, she taught in elementary schools in Miami, New York, Atlanta, Gainesville, Maryland, and Los Angeles.
For 45 years, Marlene poured her artistic soul into the Shop, creating a welcoming and magical environment with a beautifully curated collection of unique and whimsical home furnishings and holiday décor items. She enjoyed helping customers and engaging them personally. Often, she would come home from the Shop with stories about the wonderful she had met that day. In a recent interview, she said that "it's the people coming in here that just feed our heart and soul . . .that's what makes up life: the people, the connections you make, and the kindness people show you. . . If you have good health and wonderful customers, you just want to keep going as long as you can. You wake up in the morning and say 'Yay! Another Day.'"
Marlene was loved by so many people. They will remember a warm, joyful , and caring person. She was a vibrant ray of light who made people feel special and heard. She will be missed.
Marlene is survived by her husband, Michael Oberst, son, Darren Oberst, daughter-in-law, Namee Oberst, grandson, Dylan Oberst, and nephews, Bryan Gordon and Neil Gordon.
Crevasse's Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Oberst family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
Karen Jensen
October 19, 2025
Marlene was a wonderful woman, and I enjoyed our conversations. Every time I drove from Okahumpka, Florida, to Gainesville for treatment at UF Health, I'd stop in Micanopy to visit her and The Shop. While her shop is a work of art, I enjoyed getting to talk to her more. I'm so sorry for her family's loss. I will enjoy the Christmas ornaments I purchased from her over the years and will cherish the memories attached to them even more.
Kathy Sachs
October 8, 2025
Marlene was the kindest and sweetest person I have ever met in my 70 years on this Earth. I met her in the 1980s in The Shop. Through the years, she always greeted me with a smile and always inquired about what was going on in my life. She truly cared about each and every person she met. The world has lost a treasured lady with her passing, but Heaven has gained a true angel. I will never forget you, Marlene.
Bev Smith
September 29, 2025
Wonderful memories strolling through The Shop and sharing stories with Marlene! She will be surely missed!
Beth Isabel
September 27, 2025
I met Marlene when my newly married husband and I wandered into the shop in 1988. We fell in love with Marlene and The Shop. We continued to come back whenever we made it back to the Gainesville area (we live in Tampa). Marlene always loved hearing the stories of my children and telling me about her grandson. I have always told her that The Shop is my happy place. She turned me into a fanatical collector of all the little creatures she carried in her shop. I was always amazed at her creativity and the incredible things she would find to share with us. Today, I came back to Micanopy with my mom (aged 84) to the shop and to hopefully see Marlene again. To find out that she had passed has broken my heart. I feel as if I lost a dear friend even though we only saw each other sporadically over these 35 years. She is a presence that will be greatly missed. I would like to send my condolences to her family....I´m so very sorry.
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Nancy K Smith
September 21, 2025
My heart goes out to Michael and Darren for loss of this beautiful soul. Rest well Marlene. And thank you for being such a guiding light in my life.
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4127 NW 27th Lane Suite B, Gainesville, FL 32606
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