1933 – 2017

We are saddened to announce that on June 5, 2017, Marlene Eleanor Zenowski decided that it was time to rejoin her husband Bill, after missing him for 10 long years. Bill Zenowski was the love of her life, and she the love of his, so we find comfort with the knowledge that they’re together again.
Marlene was born in Kamloops (as the middle child to a British/Irish father and Swedish mother) but was not raised here, moving many times in her childhood years to follow her father’s work and army career. She loved Vancouver in particular, but eventually came back to Kamloops, met Bill, and stayed here for the rest of her life. The first moment Bill saw Marlene, he turned to his friend and told him that he was “going to marry that girl”… and they were together and inseparable for over 55 years. He called her “Marz “.
Marlene was primarily a homemaker and mother (although she did work as a cook for a while after they bought the local A&W restaurants). Marlene and Bill sold the restaurants and retired in 1974, (at the ages of 41 and 44) and then spent their winters golfing in California and Arizona — their summers relaxing and socializing and golfing while living in their lakefront house at Lac Le Jeune. They shared a great life.
Marlene loved to read books, and was a skilled seamstress and dressmaker – but her real gift to the world was her beautiful quilts. All of her family and friends have been lucky enough to have received many of her exquisite creations over the years, so she leaves these as part of her legacy to all of us.
Marlene was predeceased by her adoring husband and best friend, Bill, in 2007, and life has never been the same. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease two years later, but has been holding her own quite well until just this past week.
Marlene is survived by one sister, Joan (Bill) Ardren, and two children: Michael (Angela) Zenowski, and Lisa (Stevan) Puharich. She also leaves six grandchildren: Krystyna (Derrick Benard) Spanell, Jason (Lisa) Zenowski, Laura (Aaron) Zenowski, Erik (Janice) Puharich, Nick Zenowski and Samantha Zenowski. Marlene has five great grandchildren as well: Ainsley and Gillian Zenowski, Isabel Blue, Khoen Spanell, and Kane Puharich . Her second great- grandson Eli will be born in early July. She was also loved, and will be missed, by her brother-in-law and his wife, Edward and Helene Zenowski.
The family is forever grateful for the loving care that Marlene received during her past two-plus years at Pinegrove. We cannot express enough how much we appreciate the level of genuine caring you bring to all of the residents in that facility….. even when, like Marlene, their middle name is “sarcasm”!!
As per Marlene’s wishes, there will be no formal service. If friends/family want to celebrate Marlene’s life, we suggest that you could do that by enjoying a piece of strawberry-rhubarb pie (her favourite –she always said: “Smith Family Motto: Save Room for Pie!!) … or a shortbread cookie. (she made the very best – never to be replicated

Condolences may be expressed at www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

• Date : 2017-06-05
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.