Marlene (Berg) Grieve Halbrook

Born in Portland, Oregon on September 17, 1941. Marlene Jeanette Berg was the oldest of the twelve children of Harry and Helen (Gabriel) Berg. As a child she lived in Bay City, Tillamook, Grants Pass, Medford and Portland and was always surrounded by a huge extended family. She was attending Girls Poly High School in Portland, Oregon when she met her first husband Bob Grieve, they married in 1960 and had three children. As an Army wife she travelled the world making friends everywhere. In 1993 she married Joe Halbrook and settled for good in Southeast Portland.

Marlene began working for Public Portland Schools in the late 1970's. She enjoyed her job as a “lunch lady” at Buckman Grade School and then at Jefferson High School where she worked until her retirement.

She loved her large family and her many friends who also became family. She was never happier than when she was cooking or hosting a party. She was an avid bowler in her younger days and enjoyed old movies, music, dancing, gambling; playing poker or slot machines whenever she could. She had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke. She had many friends at the VFW and Mt. Scott Pub where she shared her baking and her stories.

She will be missed by her children: Karen (David) Tomblin of British Columbia, David (Marion) Grieve of South Carolina, and William (Dawn) Grieve of Michigan. Her grandchildren: Brad (Carly), James (Lisa), Katrina, Kyle, Culley, Sabreena (Caleb), Nigel (Allison), and Austin; her great grandchildren: Alexandra, Desmond, Myla and John; also her brothers: Larry (Donna) Berg, David (Stella) Berg and Clinton (Debbie) Berg; sisters: Nancy (Jim) Kuller, Lori (Don) Powers, and Nina (Randy) Zerance; sister-in-law Cheryl Berg and brother-in-law Bill Grieve, her Halbrook family, many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended relatives. Marlene was predeceased by her parents, both husbands, four brothers, and one sister.

There was no funeral at her request and her ashes will be taken to sea at a later date. She left us on June 27, 2022 but her memory will make us smile forever.