Marlene Sandra Watkins

Marlene Sandra (Worthen) Watkins was born March 13, 1934 in San Francisco, CA to Jack Cameron Worthen and Hazel Teresa (Schleich) Worthen. She was a miracle right from the start, having been born premature. With the care of her parents and brother Jack Cameron Worthen Jr. she grew and thrived. She was exceptionally bright and was skipped ahead one grade in school. She was also fun-loving and adventurous, qualities which would stay with her for a lifetime.

Her faith was nurtured at Portalhurst Presbyterian Church during her teenage years. After her graduation from Lincoln High School in 1951, she attended UC Berkeley where she met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Davis Watkins on October 15, 1954. They were soon engaged and were married on August 7, 1955 at Portalhurst. Their honeymoon took them to Disneyland which had opened only weeks before, and to the beaches of Southern California.

Upon the return from their honeymoon, Marlene became a "Navy Wife" for the next five years. Her husband Bob reported aboard an Aircraft Carrier in the Pacific as a Junior Officer for two years, and then they spent the next three years stationed at the U.S. Naval Station in Rota, Spain where their two daughters Sharon and Susan (Sue) were born. In 1960 they returned to the US and made their home in Orange County, California, first in Huntington Beach when their son Bruce was born, and then to their longtime home of Placentia when their son James (Jim) was born.

The family home in Placentia was a hub of activity with four children. Marlene was unbelievably resourceful. She could create a Halloween costume, a Christmas decoration, or a birthday party pinata with things that were already in the house. She was a remarkable home economist and made delicious meals with way too much “assistance” from her children. Life was always more fun when she was around. Family camping trips are a particularly fond memory.

She returned to school in the 1970’s to become a licensed vocational nurse. She worked shifts in various hospitals for a handful of years. She then resumed her education in the 1980’s, earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling. She was always eager to learn something new or try a new experience. One of her favorite photos on the wall of their home was of her on a whitewater rafting expedition. She loved going to concerts or taking a trip. When she was at home, you were more likely to see her reading a book than anything else.

Sharon, Sue, Bruce and Jim learned about love and marriage by seeing how Bob and Marlene loved each other. The way Bob and Marlene loved their children helped them to grow up to be loving parents to the all-important grandchildren; Robert (Bobby) Watkins, Erin Watkins, Cameron Watkins, Alan James (AJ) Fagan, Emily Watkins and Kate Watkins.

Some of her children’s favorite memories are: Summer days spent at the beach (Bruce remembers Mom teaching him to body surf), long walks with our family dogs (Mom loved all dogs, and by the way they gravitated toward her, it was mutual), learning to cook in her kitchen, and how hard she laughed when she was deeply amused.

Some of her grandchildren’s favorite memories are: Erin and Kate cherish the times that their Grandma (with Grandpa) took Amtrak to Ohio for wonderful visits throughout their childhood. AJ has very fond memories of the long road trip to Washington with his grandparents in 2006. Bobby reflects “There was no one more up to date on what was going on with me than her which was always a comfort knowing there was someone who had my back no matter how bad I messed up. I’m sure she will still have my back.”

Marlene passed away on January 4, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Theresa Worthen and brother Jack Worthen, Jr. and sister-in-law Nancy (Compton) Worthen. She is survived by her husband Bob, children Sharon (Mike) Fagan, Sue (Dave Henry) Watkins, Bruce (Rosalind), and Jim (Geri) Watkins, and her grandchildren. A service will be held for Marlene at Placentia Presbyterian Church, where she was a faithful member, when it is possible for an in-person gathering to safely take place.