Our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, passed on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, with family by her side. Marlene was born on June 26, 1937, in Minco, Oklahoma and passed away due to multiple health issues including a long battle with leukemia. he lived in Poetry, Texas the last several years following the closure of her beauty shop in Garland, Texas.

Marlene entered the world wit her best friend and beloved sister, Darlene. They were affectionately and notoriously known as the Darcey Twins around Minco. In high school, Marlene was an athlete, musician, and actress. he played basketball, marched in the band as a majorette, flutist, and percussionist, and performed in school plays. Following high school, she attended cosmetology school in Oklahoma City and was married with three children soon after.

After the family moved to Texas, Marlene found herself single with three very young children. She had no relatives in Texas, no transportation, and little money. Despite these challenges, she opened her own business, Marlene's Beauty Salon in Garland, Texas, which she operated for 57 years. She was very appreciative of her life, and she considered many of them as close as family.

Marlene lived life to the fullest. She traveled the country by boat, plane, motorcycle, classic car, and bus to explore new places. In her prime she enjoyed water skiing, scuba diving, golf tournaments, and deep-sea fishing. Throughout her life she delighted in hosting parties for various holidays and sporting events.

Family was a top priority for Marlene. She and her twin sister, Darlene, began a yearly reunion in Turner Falls, Oklahoma. The tradition continued after Darlene's passing and still continues today. Darlene's daughters and Marlene's son and daughters grew up more like siblings than cousins and today their children and grandchildren continue their legacy of love and laughter. This traditional gathering has welcomed family and their guests for decades and is a testament to Marlene's warm and generous spirit.

Most of all, Marlene Adored her role as 'Gran' to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She gave freely of her heart and her time to every child. Marlene would traditionally treat each grandchild to a special trip when they turned 16, such as a cruise, a trip to Disneyland, or something else they really wanted with just the two of them. Her grandchildren spent many hours at her home playing in the sand, riding golf carts, dressing up, playing make believe, cooking, and spending the night with Gran.

She was preceded in death by her partner in life, Mort McLemore; daughter, Kris Slavens, and son, Ken Bruck; parents, Leta and step-father, John Howard; siblings, Louise Johnson, Gee Gordon, and twin sister Darlene.

She is survived by her daughter, Kelly Talbot; grandchildren, Jaclyn Slavens, Randi Talbot, Kimberly Ochoa, Lance Talbot, Mary Bruck, and Kristina Dawes; great-grandchildren, Jacson Felty, Anyiah Minor, Gage Ochoa,Elijah Minor, and Daniel Talbot. Marlene's twin sister's daughters, which she considered her own daughters, Renee Brown, Robyn Lombardi, Kim Mosburg, and Lori Spell; as well as many extended friends and family members.

Marlene will be laid to rest next to Darlene in the Union City Cemetery in Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or Shriners Hosital.