Marlene Gail (Saks) Oliver

Marlene (Saks) Oliver passed away on March 30th, 2026, at the age of 77 after a decades-long battle with breast cancer. She was born in 1948 in Washington DC, the second of three children born to Joseph and Sylvia Saks. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Brian Oliver, their daughter and son-in-law, Erica and Timur Engin, their two grandsons, Joseph and Bryson Engin, and her brother and sister, Michael and Marilyn Saks.

Marlene’s family moved to Los Angeles in 1961. She graduated from Taft High School in 1966. She met Brian while an undergraduate at UCLA. They both worked part-time at a medical testing laboratory (Bio-Sciences Labs) in Van Nuys, CA. After Brian moved to Victoria to pursue a doctorate degree in Physics from UVic in 1968, Marlene transferred to UC Berkeley, and where she was married in 1969. She received her biology degree in 1970 (in the mail because commencement ceremonies were cancelled that tumultuous spring). Marlene joined Brian at UVic and earned a master's degree in biology in 1973. Their daughter Erica was born in Victoria in 1975.

In 1977, Marlene moved back to Los Angeles with her family. Marlene began a career in medical sales and innovation, working with a variety of companies. Marlene also owned her own company for many years selling cutting edge medical devices.

In 1996, Marlene and Brian moved to Eastern Washington State for Brian’s position at the national laboratory in Richland. Marlene was an early investor in a Cesium-131 radioactive seed (brachytherapy) startup for prostate and other cancers (IsoRay).

In 2015, Marlene and Brian retired and moved back to Victoria. In 2021, Marlene became a Canadian Citizen.

Marlene was a fervent advocate for alternative medicine and supplements. She was also an avid gardener and traveler. In retirement, she became a devoted member of Rotary International serving local projects and doing community service. Her loving and generous spirit will be missed by many family members and friends here and abroad.

Grateful thanks to the Doctors and wonderful staff at Victoria General Hospital and Hart House their care.