Marlene A. Goldstein

Born on December 21, 1940, in Gary, Indiana, Marlene was the cherished daughter of Roland S. Millington and Agnes Kometz Millington. She was the beloved older sister of Roland Millington and Kathy Millington, all of whom preceded her in death.

As a young teenager, she fell in love with her high school sweetheart—the love of her life—Ronald (Ron) Goldstein. Married on September 24, 1960, they built a remarkable life together over nearly sixty-six years, grounded in love, partnership, laughter, music and dancing, and an enduring commitment to family. Ron was at her side until the very end, a testament to the love they shared throughout their lives, and carries his love for her with him each day.

Together they raised four children—Kim, Kevin, Kyle, and Kerry. If asked what she considered her greatest accomplishment, Marlene’s answer would never have been her career or her many accolades. It would have been becoming a mother. Her children were the center of her world, a love she continued to express throughout her life with thoughtful text messages, carefully chosen GIFs, heartfelt emojis, and constant reminders of how deeply they were loved.

That love multiplied as the families of her children grew: Kim and Jamie Lowe with Holly(Dave), Kelsey, and Kory; Kevin with Andrew (Lyndi), Bradley (Payton James), Henry, and Lori Goldstein; Kyle and Lisa with Cristina, Kayce, Meredith, and Madelyn; and Kerry with her beloved Marlo. She was also blessed with eleven great-grandchildren, many other family members, and dear friends—each of whom held a special place in her heart.

After her marriage, Marlene attended technical school and worked as a comptometer operator before embracing what she often considered her most important role—that of wife, mother, and the family’s “domestic engineer.” As her children grew, she returned to the workforce, performing time studies for Jamar-Ruby in Michigan City, Indiana, before serving as assistant to a bank president. In her “spare time” she volunteered for the Sisterhood at Sinai Temple in Michigan City and spearheaded a group of women to make stuffed frogs for children in local hospitals using leftover fabric from the factory at Jamar-Ruby.

When the family relocated to Wichita Falls, Texas, Marlene found the work that would define much of her professional life. In 1979, she became Executive Director of The Arc of Wichita County, dedicating the next thirty-six years to advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and the families who loved them. Under her leadership, The Arc became an even stronger voice for inclusion, dignity, opportunity, and community. Her impact was so profound that the organization’s annual golf fundraiser continues today as the Marlene Goldstein Golf Scramble, carrying forward the mission to which she devoted her heart. Her work with the Sisterhood at the House of Jacob in Wichita Falls continued to bring her joy.

People often say someone has a smile that could light up a room. Marlene’s smile—and the warmth behind it—could light up an entire city. Her heart was as big as Texas, and she gave it away freely. It took a great deal to make her angry and even more to bring her to tears. She met life’s challenges with quiet determination, rarely complaining and almost always asking what needed to be done next. She simply rolled up her sleeves and found a way.

Her greatest happiness was not found in personal recognition, but in family gatherings, holiday meals, conversations around the table, and hearing the happy chatter and laughter of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren filling the house. Our mama bird was happiest when her nest was full.

Marlene spent much of her life caring for others before herself. She was an exceptional cook, despite laughingly admitting that when she married, she barely knew how to boil water. With a few lessons from Ron (and her own determination), she became the heart of countless family meals, feeding everyone who gathered around her table with generosity and love. As a matter of fact, Marlene scratch-cooked two to three meals every day until early 2026.

She had a soft spot for dogs. She loved a good bowl of ice cream, looked forward to finding something good to watch on television, and happily explored the world from her living room through House Hunters International and all transformational design shows on HGTV.

She was known for her warm hugs, impossibly soft skin, comforting back rubs, and the lullabies that soothed generations of children. If you visited Marlene’s home, you always left feeling more loved than when you arrived, and odds are you weighed more, too.

What made Marlene truly unforgettable was not simply what she accomplished, but how she lived. She was authentically selfless, steadfastly loyal, and the ultimate cheerleader for the people she loved. She celebrated each person’s individuality and encouraged every member of her family to become exactly who they were meant to be. She believed in people—sometimes before they believed in themselves.

Her legacy lives on not only through the family she adored and the community she served, but through every life made gentler by her kindness, stronger by her encouragement, and brighter because she was in it.

She will be missed beyond measure and loved forever, as her love forever remains here for us all.

Marlene will be interred in a graveside service on Sunday, June 28, 2026 at 10:00AM in the Emmanuel Hebrew Rest Cemetery inside Rosemont Cemetery, 4441 Southwest Parkway, Wichita Falls, Texas. All are welcome to join the family and the congregation in a gathering immediately following at the House of Jacob, 3414 Kemp Boulevard, Wichita Falls, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to The Arc of Wichita County https://thearcwctx.org/donate or (940) 692-2303.