Marlene Adele Dobrzeniecki

90 years old

Born May 18, 1933

Died August 3, 2023

Marlene Adele Dobrzeniecki, of Clearwater, Florida passed away at 5:17pm on August 3, 2023. Two of her sons, John and Steve, Florida residents, were with her during her final hours.

Marlene leaves behind, or soon to rejoin, many people. Her husband of 55 years, Leonard Adam Dobrzeniecki, born December 10, 1932, Cleveland, Ohio. Died February 25, 2006, in Clearwater, Florida.

Seven sons:

Leonard John Dobrzeniecki, Shaker Hts., Ohio. Born March 18, 1952. Deborrah (Acree). Ryan and Aubrey, Grandchildren. Ananda Watson, great granddaughter. Asher Hackman, great, great grandson.

Joseph William Dobrzeniecki, Chardon, Ohio, (Dec.) Born November 16, 1953. Died July 9, 2019. June (Mizerak). Janet, granddaughter. Vince Mobily, great grandson.

Stanley Alan Dobrzeniecki, Mentor, Ohio. Born January 12, 1955. Jeanne (Cardina). Keri Kish, daughter. Brad Kish. Rylee, great granddaughter. Evan, great grandson.

Alan Richard Dobrzeniecki, Grier, South Carolina. Born July 22, 1957. Sue (Schumaker). Tiffany, granddaughter, Amanda, granddaughter.

John Mark Dobrzeniecki, Dunedin, Florida. Born August 7, 1961. Laura (Jeffery) (Sladewski). Alyssa Jones, granddaughter. Brandon Jones. Robert, great grandson, Ethan, great grandson.

Mark Kenneth Dobrzeniecki, Seminole, Florida. (Dec.) Born March 15, 1964. Died February 4, 2018. With a special mention to Laurie and her children, Dustin, and Kristin.

Stephen Kenneth Dobrzeniecki, Seminole, Florida. Born January 9, 1969. Partner, Lisa Wasserlien. Morgan, granddaughter. Stephen, grandson. With a special mention to Daryl Martin, Mother of Morgan, and Stephen.

Marlene was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Mary Pavlik (Hraster) and Milan Kezele. Marlene’s maiden name was, Marlene Adele Kezele. Preceding Marlene in death were her older brother, Joseph. Sister Marie, Sister Elizabeth (Urbic), Brother William (Hraster). Marlene had a special fondness for her nieces and nephews. Claudette Mazurkiewicz (Dec.) and Marilyn Brown (Dec.) Special shout out to those in Hawaii: Siblings, Doug Urbic (Dec.) Mike Urbic, Margie Simms, Laura Jobes. Also, Jackie Chrosniak (Dec.), of Willoughby Hills, Ohio. A sister to those in Hawaii and wife of Danny Chrosniak, Mother to Michael, Chrissy, and Susie. Margie, thanks for all the lovely and funny cards, and beautiful photos. And thank you Uncle Stan and Aunt Elsie, both (Dec.).

Let us not forget Marlene’s traveling partner, and live in friend, from December to April, and niece, Janice Conley. Uncle Bill’s Daughter. The two were quite a pair. From sunsets on the beach, to bargain sales. Restaurants (what’s the special of the day?) and road trips. Fat Cats was a favorite haunt of theirs, music playing, people partying. Life is good for Janice and Marlene. Thank you, Janice.

Marlene grew up in Cleveland, Ohio in what was then a predominately Slovenian neighborhood, surrounding the St. Vitus Catholic church and school, in which she attended. Marlene would occasionally relate stories of her duties working for the Nuns in the convent. All T’s crossed and I’s dotted. From there, Marlene attended Jane Addams vocational school, with an emphasis on sewing. A passion that followed her, throughout her life.

Marlene left school and landed a position as an office worker for the Towmotor Corporation. While working there, she met her soon-to-be husband, Leonard. Things are beginning to really take off, and take off they did. Maryland was the destination, and marrying was the goal. Mission accomplished, the newlywed pair returned to less than open arms, which were soon opened, and welcomed the new Mr. and Mrs. Leonard and Marlene Dobrzeniecki. Marlene,18 years old. Leonard, 19 years old.

The new pair found living quarters in Marlene’s old neighborhood, along with a new arrival, Leonard John Dobrzeniecki. Marlene became, and remained, a stay at home, Mom, and keeper of the household. A duty that she took seriously, and lovingly, to heart. While husband and partner, Leonard, forged ahead at the Towmotor Corporation, becoming a tool and die maker. Eventually working his way up the corporate ladder to become a prominent figure within the Caterpillar Tractor Corporation of Mentor, Ohio.

Things were going along pretty well, packing lunches and cooking supper, caring for little Lenny and occasionally asking for advice from relatives on recipes, ailments, and general housekeeping. Then, the body starts changing, and soon after, along comes Joe. Joey.

The little family is still living in the old neighborhood, but quarters are beginning to feel tight. Time to move on. This time, to the Nottingham neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. Big yard, free standing garage, and right across the street from the railroad tracks. Passenger trains, box cars, all sorts of rail activity. Marlene’s mother, little gram, would come to visit, and Marlene would set up a chair and card table in the side yard for her to play solitaire, smoke her Chesterfield cigarettes, and drink a glass or two of wine, while watching the trains go by. Then, those changes, and along comes Stanley. That makes three, along with Leonard’s first efforts at animal husbandry, rabbits. Sewing and housekeeping for Marlene, animals, and land for Leonard. Good team.

The three boys would play in the yard, while Marlene and Leonard would tend to the household chores. Mind you, those play days would soon be numbered, but that’s for another time. Still at the Nottingham house, along comes Alan, along with some raised eyebrows. Four? So soon? What are you doing?

That hemmed in feeling creeps in again, and another move. This time, to the semi-rural expanses of Chesterland, Ohio. New house, one and a half acres. Garden, more animals. Ducks, geese, rabbits, dogs, and a stray cat or two. Funny, cats seem to have followed Marlene throughout her adult life. Plus, school for Lenny, Joey, and Stanley. Alan was at home with Marlene, and somewhere along the way, came Johnny. Marlene had her hands full.

Then, sometime around 1963 or 64, another move was planned. This time, to the very rural area of N.E. Geauga County, Montville, Ohio. Thirty-two acres, brick house, wooded area, and stream in back, with fields surrounding the house. Perfect for more animals, big garden, and a gentleman farmers dream. As always, Marlene was there and all in. With her husband and family, they raised goats, pigs, chickens, ducks, geese, donkeys, ponies, cows, steers, a few one-eyed cats and Halfy, the half-tailed cat, bitten off somewhere. Bunch of dogs too, one or two at a time. The geese never did like Leonard too much, hissed and bit him several times, but they did make for good watch animals, honking and hissing at any intruders. Leonard, Marlene, and the boys worked the small farm, and many meals were had, canning jars filled, and freezers stocked, through their efforts. Mark reared his head, soon after moving to Montville. Then, a few years later came Stephen (Steve). Both, their individual selves, and best of friends. Both were weaned on goat’s milk. That should just about do it. Seven boys - enough is enough. So, Marlene milked Susie the cow, packed lunches, fixed supper, read children’s books to the younger boys, ironed clothes to the rantings and ragings of Gary Dee on the AM radio, picked vegetables in the garden and on and on. On top of all that, when something went wrong, she heard the inevitable, “MARLENE”, shouted from Leonard. Long day for Marlene. Long day, every day, for Marlene. A modern-day pioneer woman.

One by one the boys began to move away. Too much work for Marlene and Leonard to keep up with, at least according to their standards. Leonard was about two years away from retirement, and he and Marlene decided to sell the farm and move closer to Mentor, Ohio, and Leonard’s work at Caterpillar Corporation. They purchased a condominium in Mentor, and with John, Mark, and Steve, off they went.

Time to retire for Leonard. Thirty years at Towmotor and Caterpillar Tractor was enough. He and Marlene took a short vacation and found Clearwater, Florida to be a suitable place to re-locate and start again. Off we go, with Steve and Mark in tow.

Orange, lemon, and grapefruit trees to replace apples and plums. Marlene also switched gears, from farm work, to crabbing in the Tampa Bay, and fishing in some of the bayou’s and the intercoastal waterway. Quite a change, but as always, Marlene adapted to the challenge. Marlene found work at an all you can eat buffet, but soon found that to be rather distasteful. She then studied for, and passed the exam, to be a nurse’s aide. Marlene also volunteered her time, and sewing expertise, at the hospice center near where she lived. She also gave sewing instruction to some of the students at the joint vocational school nearby. All these activities were close to home, for Marlene never learned to drive, having finally gotten her driver’s license at seventy-six years old. Free at last.

Marlene’s love for sewing helped to open several doors. One of them led to a thirty-five-year friendship with Lorraine Hoffman, and eventually a mutual friendship with Lorraine’s husband, Andy. Leonard and Marlene, Andy and Lorraine, good friends for a long time. Trips to Marathon Key where Andy and his son had a charter fishing boat, visiting each other’s homes, dinners shared, and good times had. All the while, doing what Marlene and Lorraine loved to do, sew. Who knows how many quilts, bibbs, and articles of clothing will be passed down through the generations. Thank you, Lorraine and Andy. Thank you, sewing.

Marlene had many friends. Several stand out for particular mention. Nell Goodrich, across the street neighbor. Florida native, neighbor for forty-four years, best key lime pie, sharing recipes and meals made. Nell would share tales of times past, old Florida tales, as well as offering her thoughts on current events. Marlene will be missed by Nell. Nell is ninety-nine years old. Abdel and Khadija Aboudfer, next door neighbors. So sorry for your losses during the covid pandemic. Thank you, Abdel, for your household repairs. Khadija, your offerings were much appreciated. Friends, but also cousins, Chester, and Claudette Mazurkiewicz. The trips to and from Florida were made enjoyable, thanks to the hospitality shown to Marlene and Leonard at your home. Perfect mid-way stop. Marilyn Brown. Marilyn and Marlene go way back, cherished memories. Ralph and Jean Devine, Phyllis and Johnny Muncie, long time neighbors, fine friends.

Winding down a little, Mark has moved on, so has Steve. Marlene and Leonard, free to do as they please. Empty nesters. So many things to cram into a few paragraphs. Travels up north, holiday parties in Florida with Uncle Bill and his troop. Visitors from up north visiting the sunshine state. Births of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren, and deaths. Saddened by the passing of husband, Leonard, sons, Mark and Joseph, Uncle Bill, Aunt Elsie, and Uncle Stan. Jackie and Doug. Marilyn and Claudette. Andy Hoffman. Dolores Acree. Ed and Viola Mizerak. James (Lee) Cardina. Marge Schumacher.

Marlene and Leonard were very fortunate in having a wonderful relationship with their son’s in-laws. Dancing and dining with James (Lee) and Margaret Cardina, along with Rosie and Dick Shupp Whiling away the time, and picnicking with Ed and Viola Mizerak. Enjoying the beaches with Marge Schumacher and her family. Tons of fun with fellow Florida residents, Jerry, and Carol Sladewski. Having the pleasure to have met, and enjoyed the company of Robert and Dolores Acree.

Marlene and Leonard enjoyed dancing. No, they loved dancing, and were very good at it. No, they weren’t very good at it, they were experts at it. Polkas were their favorite. Polish and Slovenian styles. Gliding, hopping, and twirling in unison, they were a sight. One couldn’t help but recognize their talent.

On May 20, 2023, Marlene was able to celebrate her 90th birthday surrounded by her family and friends in Dunedin, Florida. The icing on the cake of a well lived, long life.

Marlene passed, having made her peace and love for her family evident. Her last words were that she was ready, knew where she was going. To be with her Leonard and sons, so, “let’s go.”

And Marlene cooked the supper, and Marlene scrubbed the clothes and Marlene busted horses, and blew the baby’s nose, and Marlene and a shotgun kept the rattlesnakes away and how she kept on smiling, no one could ever say

(Marlene has been substituted for Mary - Taken from the Texas Trilogy: Bosque County Romance -Steven Fromholz)

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to:

Empath Health Hospice 5771 Roosevelt Blvd. Clearwater, Florida 33760 There will be a funeral/ internment at:

All Souls Cemetery Chardon, Ohio September 21, 2023 11:00 AM C – meeting area

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.nationalcremation.com/location/clearwater for the Dobrzeniecki family.