Marlene ESTELLE

February 3, 1935 - July 26, 2023

"Life goes on" she repeatedly expressed during her more recent years of experiencing dementia. Now the full truth in her familiar words provides comfort to her family, as they know she is free of pain and lives in ultimate peace in eternity. Marlene Estelle died peacefully with family by her side on July 26, 2023. Her family will be grateful to the end of their days for who she was and for how she lived her life and loved and served her Triune God with all her heart, soul, mind, and strength. Marlene was a valiant giver of love and service to others throughout her life of 88 years on this earth. She was devoted to her husband of 55 years, her four children, and her eight grandchildren, and the focus of her life went well beyond her own "clan." She also devoted her life to the church. She loved all people, even strangers clear across the world. She and her husband, Walter, served in Marriage Encounter leadership roles with the Presbyterian church for over 25 years in the United States, and they also shared this ministry in Ireland, Peru, and Africa. She and Walter grew to love the people of Kenya, and Cameroon and made three long trips over the years to share experiences contributing to better communication and greater expressions of love in marriage. She also served as a co-leader with Walter throughout his second career as a pastor and supported him through his Seminary education. They followed Walt's calling into ministry as a second career devoting their energies and efforts to serving in the Presbyterian Church in Eastern Oregon, and Davenport Washington. Marlene was known for her beautiful, genuine, and frequent smile, always with a flowing stream of "God Bless You," hugs, kind words, gratitude, and encouragement to those in her midst. Her final four years of her marriage demonstrated sacrificial love to her husband as she served him daily in the constant care of all his needs following a severe and life-altering spinal cord injury. They said Walter would never walk again; however, he did with the help of God, an iron will, and Marlene's constant encouragement. Rather than complaining about this hardship, Marlene frequently expressed how grateful she was to love her husband in this way and to grow even closer to one another.

Marlene grew up in Montrose California, sailed the southern California seas in girl scouts, played the Marimba and cymbals, worked in Yellowstone National Park during college summers, climbed the middle Teton, and fell in love with Walter when they met at the University of California, Davis which they both attended. She worked in early childhood education and taught preschool for years, and eventually returned to school to get her master's degree in child development. She also taught Community College courses, and she valiantly started and developed a Salvation Army daycare center for teen mothers in East Los Angeles to support young mothers, thus allowing them to complete their education, and teaching them how to love their precious babies. She was known as "momma Muck" at La Crescenta Presbyterian Church (LCPC) as she volunteered as a youth group leader, including many adventurous weeklong backpacking trips with the high school youth group. Later, one of her sons, John would follow in her footsteps to lead that youth group as a Seminary intern at LCPC. She and her husband also braved week-long trips into the Tetons and Sierra Nevada mountains with their four young children. They courageously sent one of their sons on a trip to South Korea during High School for cultural enrichment. Remarkably, she and Walter allowed one of their boys to go to Yosemite from Southern California at the age of 15 so he might pursue his passion for rock climbing by safely training under professionals. She helped all her children to learn to love nature. For example, she and Walter visited their oldest son in Alaska when he worked there. Indeed, her husband (Walter) developed a reputation as a "terror" on a snowmobile. Everything was "full throttle" with Walt and Marlene. Additionally, their daughter-in-law, Karla, was the pilot of one of the backcountry planes in which they were passengers when they took this adventurous trip. It is ineffable to express how deep, valiant and committed their love was for all of their children. She loved each of her children and they all knew and know what she stood for love of God with her heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love of others as they learned to love and be loved by an awesome God. In short, she modeled the two greatest commandments throughout her life.

In Marlene's final days on this earth, all four children were able to be with her by God's wonderful providence, to honor her, and to express their love for her. Two of her children sat by her side during her final days, singing hymns, reading Scripture, and sharing the precious love she had given so sacrificially her entire life to others. Marlene Estelle will be so deeply missed, and yet even more greatly appreciated by her four children (Brad Estelle, Bryan Estelle, John Estelle, and Lisa Estelle, and her eight grandchildren). She will forever be remembered and appreciated for her example of living life to love others, through her deep, genuine, and abiding love of Christ, her Savior and Lord. We are grateful beyond measure for your example Marlene: "Mom," and Grandma. May we all aim to live with the faith you stood for and sacrificially devoted yourself to, in Christ Jesus and your Triune God of Love. Thank you for living so well your wonderful life. We will see you in heaven and until then, we will carry so many memories of you and your genuine love in our hearts.