Marlene Sarlo

Mary Marlene Sarlo, age 87, passed away in her home on July 3, 2019, after complications with heart disease. Marlene was born in Butte, MT, to Clarence and Kathryn Freudenstein, the youngest and only daughter, with three older brothers, Bob, Bill, and Jack. The family moved to Denver when Marlene was quite young, settling in the Capitol Hill area. She grew up with trolley cars, shopping at the Denver Dry, and fishing at City Park.

She graduated from the all-girl's St. Mary's Academy in 1949. After a whirlwind courtship, she married John Ralph Sarlo of Pueblo, and together they raised 10 children. She was an active member and leader in the St. John's Parish (now Good Shepherd), helping establish the Catholic Youth Organization, prisoner home visitation programs, and infamous spaghetti dinner nights. Even with her own household bursting at the seams, Marlene made room for the boys and girls in the CYO program, at-risk teens, strangers, neighbors, friends, visiting priests and Church officials - even the FBI - at her table or on her floor, to sleep in whatever space was available. Marlene's cooking did more than staunch hunger; it helped stimulate conversation, laughter, and nourish the soul.

Marlene's life was marked by her outgoing nature, fun (and sometimes trouble) with her friends, her support of those in need, and her penchant for story-telling. Her life of service did not stop with the Church. She spent most Wednesdays at the St. Francis Center, preparing, serving, and cleaning up at the Soup Kitchen. Outside of spending time with her family, this brought her the most joy.

Marlene was a reluctant (but loud) public singer; Westernaire; tap dancer; washboard band member; proud Liberal and life-long Democrat; dedicated but questioning Catholic; gourmet cook; savage truth-teller; savvy navigator; loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and (finally!) great-grandmother. What was larger: her loving heart or her sense of humor?

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents; her three brothers Robert (Father Bob), William (Bill), and John (Jack) Freudenstein; her husband John Sarlo; and her son Dan. She is survived by her nine children and their families: Robert (Leslie), Kathryn DiMarco (Chuck), John Jr. (Mary), Chris Eisenhauer (Bruce), Mary Ann Christensen (Tom), Tom (Debbie), Meg Campbell (Andrew), Judy Allender (Randy), Michael (Jackie); 21 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren, and 1 rescue dog, Mr. Boo Radley. She will be greatly missed.

Funeral Mass is scheduled for July 19, 2019 at 11 am at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, 2250 S. Harrison St., Denver CO 80210. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the
Denver Catholic Worker Soup Kitchen (at St. Francis Center)
PO Box 27255
Denver CO 80227

""How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."" - A.A. Milne

""Life is not fair; it's just fairer than death, that's all."" William Goldman, The Princess Bride

 

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Funeral Mass: July 19, 2019 11:00 am

Most Precious Blood Catholic Church
2250 S Harrison St.
Denver, CO 80210

https://mpbdenver.org/