Obituary: Marlene (Sullivan) Martinez - Class of 1953

SALEM, OREGON - Marlene (Sullivan) Martinez, age 76, passed away on March 26, 2012, at her home in Salem, Ore., surrounded by her family. She was born on June 19, 1935, in Highland, Wis., to Frank and Helen (Longseth) Sullivan. Following her marriage to John Martinez on May 8, 1954, in Madison, she moved to the San Francisco Bay area until finally moving to Salem, Ore., in 1969. Marlene graduated from Madison Central High School in 1953, pursued a career in nursing for several years before enjoying a successful career in real estate. Marlene is survived by her husband, John; daughters, Diana, Kimberly and Nancy; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; and sisters, Carole (Joe) Sytek and Joan (Vince) Parisi. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Laurie; her parents; a brother, Jim (Alberta) Sullivan; and sister, Maxine (Phil) Meyers. A celebration of Marlene's life was held on March 30, 2012, in Salem, Ore.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on May 6, 2012 (submitted by Michael Vahldieck, Class of 1968)