Marlene Bagdikian

1928 - 2022

Marlene Bagdikian
October 30, 1928 - January 26, 2022
Always enthusiastic and a source of boundless optimism, Marlene Bagdikian passed peacefully from this world on January 26, 2022. Marlene was born Marie Helene Ungar in Vienna, Austria, to Gretl Hammerschlag Ungar and Felix Leopold Ungar, and welcomed by two sisters, Elizabeth Madeline (1920 – 1985), Magdalena Helene (Andrea) (1923 – 1996). She had fond memories of living in an apartment house where seven extended family members had separate apartments, running between floors to play with cousins and visit grandparents, aunts and uncles. After the annexation of Austria by the Nazis, Marlene's family was forced to emigrate because of their Jewish heritage and she was sent to live with cousins in England. In 1939, the sisters were reunited on the SS Champlain and sailed to New York where they were met by their parents who had arrived in New York as refugees a few months earlier.

Marlene moved to California to complete her graduate training and begin a long and distinguished career in education, teaching English at UC Berkeley (1962 – 64) and Laney College (1966 – 87). While teaching Shakespeare was a particular joy, the focus of her scholarship and the passion of her work was encouraging young writers. She was fervent advocate for the role of community colleges in American life and her final book "Democracy's Open Door" offered a strong argument for the importance of open access education to a democracy.

A tireless advocate for human rights, equal rights and justice for all, especially those on the margins of society, Marlene believed in the beauty and strength of a pluralistic, diverse society, and that government could and must play an essential role for the good of all. She called out injustice when she saw it and took her role as a member of a participatory democracy seriously. Eleanor Roosevelt was her hero. Her gifts of time, talent and treasure supported causes and projects too numerous to list here.

Marlene had a huge and generous heart. She loved people and was beloved by all who knew her. An excellent listener with a keen ability to offer support, encouragement and constructive advice, Marlene helped others, particularly those just starting out in life, to pursue their passions and follow their dreams by offering both emotional and material support. If she had the resources to help others, she would. She often started conversations with – tell me what is going on with you. She celebrated accomplishments, championed ideas and had a knack for helping others navigate thorny predicaments.

In 1983, Marlene married the love of her life, Ben H. Bagdikian, and they shared 33 years of happiness before his death in 2016. Their home in Berkeley became a gathering point where they welcomed family and friends alike for Thanksgiving dinners, New Year's celebrations or simply a glass of wine on the deck. Perhaps because of the disruption of her early life, Marlene was deeply aware of the importance of maintaining relationships and gently knitted together a large extended family and ever-expanding circle of friends as she knitted scarves, hats and sweaters for those she loved.

Marlene is survived by members of her extended family. We wish to acknowledge and thank Saane and members of her family for the extraordinarily kind and loving care and companionship they provided to Marlene in her final years. A celebration of her life will be held on Zoom at 10:30 AM on February 27, 2022. For more information, contact Kate Harloe at mgbservice22@gmail.com. Gifts in her honor can be made to the Peralta Retiree Organization Scholarship fund (#32531), which supports Laney students transferring to four-year schools. Gifts can be made online (https://supportperaltacolleges.funraise.org/; select PRO from the dropdown menu) or by check made payable and mailed to Peralta Colleges Foundation, 333 East 8th St, Oakland, CA 94606 with memo PRO Scholarship.