Marlene Marie LaForte

Marlene Pavek LaForte was born on June 21, 1933, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Eugene and Dorothy Pavek. In her own words, Marlene shared with her family that she remembered very little of her childhood and early life, simply stating that it wasn’t easy. She did recall that she used to babysit her cousins for her aunt and uncle, and this is how she met ‘the boy next door’- Francis LaForte, who would become the love of her life.

Frank and Marlene were married on November 24, 1951, after a four-year courtship. Over the next decade, she would give birth to two sons and two daughters. In 1967, the family would move from Minnesota to Florida. Beyond raising her children, Marlene was an avid bowler and a skilled fisherwoman. For forty years, she was a member of a women’s bowling league, touting a high score of 232. Frank and Marlene loved to go out for dinner and dancing, and they enjoyed playing cards. They often spent time on the water fishing and at gatherings with extended family, which came to include numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

One of the most impactful times of Marlene’s life was in 1994 when she and Frank heard the Gospel of Christ and made the decision to follow Him as their Lord and Savior. For many years they served faithfully at North Jax Baptist Church, and for the past twelve years she attended Schindler Drive Baptist Church where she was active in the Senior Sunday School program.

After Frank passed away in 2007, Marlene moved to the Cecil Pines retirement community, where she maintained a full social calendar, including weekly participation in a Wii Bowling league.

Family was the center of Marlene’s universe and is the greatest legacy that she leaves; she is survived by sons Michael Francis LaForte (Carol) and Mark Eugene LaForte (Karen) and daughters Pamela Boatwright (Ray) and Mary Foxworth (Mark).

She is also survived by the following:

Grandson Ernest Ray Boatwright III and Great-Grandchildren Trevor, Rachael, and Ariel.

Granddaughter Christa Haynes (James) and Great-Grandchildren Tyler and Mackenzie.

Granddaughter Staci Gorko (Michael) and Great-Grandchildren Abigail and Lucas. Granddaughter Ashleigh Chafton (Joey) and Great-Grandchildren Julianna, Adalyn,

Karalie, Eliza, Jack, Sam, and Ben.

Granddaughter Allison Gibson (John) and Great-granddaughter Adelaide.

Granddaughter Kimberly Cavender (Casey) and Great-Grandchildren Kelsie, William, Corbin, Emma, and Bo.

Granddaughter Suzanne Hale (Aaron) and Great-Grandchildren Cadence, Aubrey, Aaron “Buddy”, and Cohen.

Grandson Brent LaForte (Courtney), and Great-Granddaughter Eden, and the newest member of the family due in January 2026.

She is also survived by her brother Robert “Bob” Pavek and several nieces and nephews.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org .

A celebration of life service will be held at Schindler Drive Baptist Church at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 19, 2025. All are welcome to attend.