Marlene Joan Gardner

Marlene was born on January 7, 1939, in Long Beach, CA. She spent her childhood in West Los Angeles where she attended a Catholic grade school and Notre Dame Girls Academy High School. Marlene married her childhood sweetheart, William Robert Gardner, in February 1960, and they raised four children together: Deborah, Catherine, Robert, and David. Marlene had a diverse working career that included sales, art, and office work. During the 80s, she focused on designing and building stained glass windows under the name "Sunshine Glassworks." Marlene also spent several years rotating through Claremont Colleges, starting in the Chaplain's office and eventually retiring from Scripps College in 2002.

In addition to her career, Marlene and her husband opened and operated Heritage Tile on 9th Street in Upland, CA in the 1990s. Marlene ran the showroom and was very active in her local community. She participated in music, including both theater and singing groups. One of her most notable performances was with the South-land Chorale group as the first soprano, where she traveled twice to NYC to sing at Carnegie Hall. Marlene also played English hand bells for her Parish church for 35 years.

Marlene was very active in her parish church starting the first parish teen club and the first parish newspaper. She taught CCD for 2nd to High School classes and was a lector for many years. Over the course of their 65-year marriage, Marlene and her husband Bill traveled all over the world, including to England/Scotland, France, Germany, Holland, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Israel, China, Corcia, Central America, and South America, including Venezuela.

Marlene is survived by her 4 loving children, 9 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren.

The Memorial Service will be held Aug. 29, 2023, from 5-8 pm at Stone Funeral Home, 355 E 9th St. Upland, CA 91786. In lieu of flowers, one could choose her favorite charity