Marlene Frances McCarthy was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She left this world on October 18, 2021 at age 70. She was born in Trinidad, Colorado to Robert and Margaret (Malott) Fabec on September 7, 1951. After graduating from high school, Marlene attended Loretto Heights College and The University of Colorado. She worked in the restaurant industry from age 16, but then went back to school to be a pharmacy technician while in her 40s.
She is survived by Kevin McCarthy her loving husband of 31years, her daughters Jessica Lloyd, Elizabeth Hill, Rebecca Martinez, and her son Kevin McCarthy. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Avery, Jordann, and Hayden Lloyd; Mateo and Dax Martinez; and Drew and Finley Hill.
Marlene loved spicy food, reading, and all things spooky, supernatural, and alien. Nothing brought greater joy to Marlene than a good cup of coffee and being with her family. She loved celebrations of all kinds and always found a way to go above and beyond for the people she loved. Whether it was spoiling her grandkids with over-the-top goody bags on Halloween, making elaborate costumes by hand, or growing her own pumpkins to make the world's best pumpkin pie, she always went out of her way to make holidays feel extraordinary.
Marlene made good friends throughout her life, and accepted everyone despite their shortcomings, beliefs, or politics. She always rooted for the underdog. She was the kind of mom who accepted anyone her family brought home and always made room for them at the table. She was a supporter of big ideas and following your heart, even if that meant owning pet squirrels or letting a donkey sit on the couch. Her children always knew that she would accept their dumb ideas, radical music, crazy styles, and that they would always have a place to come home to. She did all of this without a second thought. She lived in the moment, spoke her mind, and was hilarious until the very end. There was no one else like her, and she will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the nurses at Lutheran hospital who showed up for Marlene and her family in countless ways during her final days. Please go here for more information: https://www.gofundme.com/f/gratitude-to-the-nurses-in-memory-of-marlene
To share a memory of Marlene or leave a message of condolence for her family, please visit the guestbook below.