Marlene Kaye Hampton

From childhood, Marlene had a fearless heart and love of new adventures; as an “army brat,” she made new friends with every family move, from Colorado to North Carolina, and on to California and Germany (where she attended Kaiserslautern American High School) then back to Colorado. She graduated from high school in Colorado in 1976 and went on to earn a diploma in floral design from the Cliff Mann School.

Marlene married Edward Hampton in January 1980. (With typical foresight, she chose to be married on Ed’s birthday, so he would never forget their anniversary.) Together, they raised two children: Alex and Hillary. Marlene loved being a mom. She was also a dauntless Army wife, building and re-building loving homes throughout the family’s moves to Kentucky, California, Alabama, Germany, Maryland, and Florida.

After selflessly supporting Ed’s military career for 23 years, Marlene fulfilled her own dream of owning a flower shop when she purchased Oviedo Florist in 1997. She loved serving the community through her shop, pouring her heart into flowers that enriched special moments from weddings and proms to baby showers and memorial services. The Oviedo Florist family filled her workdays with laughter and she was deeply proud of what they accomplished as a team.

Marlene found joy in generosity and caring for others. In high school she proudly donned the pink and white dress of a “candy striper” to volunteer at Landstuhl Hospital in Germany. Throughout her life, she continued to step forward to serve her country, her family, and her neighbors. In roles ranging from class mom and poll worker to President of the Oviedo Chamber of Commerce, she was indefatigable and selfless. In 1990, she was awarded the Military Association’s Volunteer of the Year award for all of Europe.

Marlene had exceptional creative gifts. She sewed and smocked clothes for her children to wear every Christmas and Easter, and crafted elaborate cakes for every birthday. She mastered her arts, winning blue ribbons at the California State Fair in needlework and cake decorating.

A lifelong Lutheran, Marlene’s spiritual home was St. Luke’s Lutheran Church of Oviedo. Her mother, Mary Ann, was a resident of Lutheran Haven and Marlene donated to church initiatives such as Goods and Grace. She and Ed launched and grew a Catalyst Group (church community group), a source of inspiration and loving friendship for them even in Marlene’s final days.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Edward Earl Hampton, Jr.; daughter, Hillary Hampton; son, Alex Hampton (Dawn); and sisters Arlene Faye Levin (Marc) and Pamela Bittinger.

Arrangements entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Oviedo Chapel.