Our beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Marlene Sison Mercado passed away on June 20, 2018 with family members by her side. She was born in Seattle, attended Garfield High School, and is a Seattle University Alumna (Class of 1985).
She is the daughter of Marcos Sison and Edith John Owen. Married to Thomas Mercado Sr. they had four children, Thomas Jr, Brian, Laura and Tony. Her five grandchildren Jeremy, Nicolette, Moriano, Lexzandria and Sequoia, and one great grandchild, Frankie Moon were the loves of her life and gave her great joy.
After raising her four children Marlene went back to school and graduated top in her class at Seattle University in Criminal Justice. She worked as a community corrections officer before devoting the remainder of her career to serving her Nisqually Tribe in various roles, including, as a tribal gaming agent, elected tribal council official and as the Director of Judicial affairs.
She retired at 80.
In her youth she was known for her Hula dancing and danced professionally before starting a family. She loved to travel visiting many places around the world, including, Okinawa, Philippines, Hong Kong, Guatemala, Canada, Spain, and France. Her recent trip to, Lourdes, France with her granddaughter fulfilled a life long wish.
Marlene lived life to the fullest, with no regrets. She was happy and dancing through to the end of this part of her journey, and dancing into the next.
Marlene is survived by four children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild. She is also survived by three sisters, Francine Sison Lester, Jacqueline Owen Wall, Terry Owen Carte, and brothers, Mark Sison and Robert Sison.
Preceding her in death was her husband, Thomas Mercado Sr, mother Edith John Owen, father Marcos Sison, sisters: Geraldine Sison Mendoza, Marcia Sison Boyle, Consuelo (Connie) Sison, and brothers, Ricardo Sison, Frank Sison, and Ronald John Sison.
Services for Marlene Sison Mercado will all be held in Nisqually beginning with a Wake on July 2nd, 2018 at 7:00 PM and funeral services the following day, July 3rd, 2018 at 10:00AM.
All services will be held at the Nisqually Tribal Center Gymnasium located at 4820 She Nah Num Dr Se Olympia, WA, 98513.
