Marlene Carol Mattmiller

Marlene Carol Mattmiller was born on New Year’s Day, 1946, in Fresno, California, to Welsey and Lorraine Santos. She grew up in Northern California, where she developed her signature sass, and unwavering strength.

In 1979, fate served up something even better than one of her famous home cooked meals – she met her forever person, the other half of our heart, and on June 16, 1979, she married the love of her life, Russell Mattmiller, in beautiful Napa Valley, California.

Together, they built a life full of laughter, good food, and even better stories. Eventually, they planted roots in Seattle, Washington, where Marlene opened her home daycare and poured her heart into caring for children. After many years of hard work and joy, Marlene and Russell retired to Sandpoint, Idaho, where they deepened their faith and were baptized into the Orthodox Church on October 1, 2011. Her move to Florida in 2016 with her daughter Lorraine marked the start of a new chapter – one filled with sunshine, laughter, and watching her grandkids and great-grandkids grow. She passed down not just recipes, but stories, lessons, and that unmistakable “Marlene touch” that made everyone feel special.

She is survived by her children Lorraine, Diane and Anthony. Her brother Richard and sister Susan. Nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Marlene is preceded in death by her loving husband Russell, her parents and grandparents.