Marlene Ann Scanlon

Marlene Ann Scanlon, age 79, entered eternal peace in the company of family on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 in Braselton, GA.  She was born in Chicago, IL on August 17, 1941, the daughter of Victor and Helen (Bestvina) Tucek.

Marlene grew up in Downers Grove, IL on a small farm and graduated from Downers Grove South High School.  She was married to John P. Scanlon and had five children.  Before her first child was born, she worked in Chicago, IL as a secretary.  She left this position when she was six months’ pregnant because, in 1961, it was not acceptable for pregnant women to be employed.  After 13 years of marriage, John and Marlene divorced and she moved to Montgomery (Oswego), IL.

Marlene was a successful businesswoman and held multiple positions before being employed by Metropolitan Life as an Underwriter, where she retired after 25 years.

Following retirement, Marlene purchased a villa in Green Valley, AZ where she and her sister Joyce, whose villa was across the street, would escape the frigid Chicago winters and spend quality sister time together.  This time was also lovingly spent with their brother Denis, who lived in Nogales, AZ.  The time in Arizona allowed Marlene to experience many little adventures that she fondly remembered.  She especially loved trips to the border town of Nogales, Mexico.

Marlene leaves loving memories to be forever cherished by her beloved family and friends.  Marlene was a loving and caring mother and treasured spending time with her children and lived every day in life to its fullest.  She was an enthusiastic ‘home-chef,’ loved to travel, shop, and spend time with her friends.  Her big heart and compassion for all living things was exemplified in her love of animals.  Marlene was a foster mom for many small dogs over the years, giving them the love and attention others could not or had not shown them.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents Victor and Helen Tucek and her sister Joyce VanDuzen.

She is survived by her five children Lorel (William) Humiston of Grayson, GA, John Scanlon (Diane Wepprecht) of Bloomington, IL, Kurt Scanlon of San Antonio, TX, David Scanlon (Jeannette Hans) of Crest Hill, IL, and Patricia Scanlon (Sandy Piquard) of Rockford, IL, her brother Denis (Nancy) Tucek of Silverton, OR, brother, Ronald Tucek of Oswego, IL and her cousin Carol Ryan of The Villages, FL.  She is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Nicole (Timothy) Martinez, John (Ally) Scanlon, Samantha Scanlon (Dimas Rodriguez), Melanie (Jesse) Cole, Michael Henry (Renee Olsen), Jamie Scanlon, Hunter Scanlon, Shane Scanlon, and Heidi Humiston.  She was also blessed with 9 great grandchildren (Alexis, Justice, Jaden, Amya, Dimas, Jameson, Aspen, Willow, and Grace).

The family would like to thank Destiny Ann Gravitt for her devotion and caring service she provided to our mother over the past 2 years.  She was an angel who deeply cared for and loved our mother.

Marlene’s wish was to be cremated and the family will have a private memorial in Georgia as well as a private memorial in Illinois.  Arrangements are being handled by Lawson Funeral Home in Hoschton, GA.  For more information, please call 404-234-3174 or visit www.lawsonfuneralhome.org.

Please do not send flowers.  In her memory, a donation to the American Diabetes Association would be kindly appreciated www.diabetes.org.