Marlene Traub Obituary

MARLENE A. TRAUB AUGUST 18, 1932 - SEPTEMBER 12, 2005 Marlene Traub, one of the most beloved members of her community, married 51 years to Norm Traub, former police chief in the cities of Placentia and Orange, mother of four, grandmother to seven, died peacefully at the age of 73 on September 12, after a heroic five-year battle with cancer. Surrounded by her husband, four children and two daughters-in-law in a 24-hour-a-day vigil for the four days after she lapsed into a coma until she passed, Marlene died as she had lived: enveloped by the love and care which she gave so selflessly and constantly to everyone she knew. Born August 18, 1932, Marlene was raised in Venice Beach and Culver City, graduating from Venice High School. A member of the International Mensa Society in high school, Marlene bypassed higher education in favor of building a marvelous home and family. She met Norm when he was on leave from the military prior to being sent overseas for the Korean War. They courted each other by handwritten letters while he was away, and when he returned, she married her one and only true love. They raised a family, traveled the world together, danced cheek-to-cheek and cut the rug every chance they got, loved each other madly and never had a single significant argument in more than a half century of marriage. Moving to Orange County in 1971, she was an active volunteer at Placentia Linda Hospital for many years, at one time Vice President of the Volunteer Guild, past president of numerous PTAs, was a member of the East Lake Village Recreation Committee and Welcome Committee, the Red Hat Society, the Placentia Cultural Arts Commission. She was also a consummate hostess, avid Analee doll collector, brilliant crossword puzzle fanatic, fun-loving, travel buff, extraordinary mother, wife, grandmother, homemaker, and friend. Marlene enjoyed life to the fullest at every opportunity. Marlene brought unbounded joy to the hearts of those in her presence and in any environment she fashioned. Her house at each seasonal holiday looked like a wonderland and showplace capturing the spirit of that celebration. She will be missed dearly by her adoring husband, Norm, and their family: son Eric of San Francisco, and his daughter, Angelique, 15; daughter Tracie of Maryland, and her daughters, Nicole, 16, and Natalie 14; son John and his wife Liz of Albuquerque, and their children, Joey, 8, and Sophie, 3; son Adam and his wife Debra of Laguna Niguel, and their sons Michael, 10, and Jeremy, 7. "My mother was one of the most humble and luminous spirits God ever placed on the earth. One of the finest angels ever sent by the heavens has returned home. She will be missed endlessly, and her legacy will be the love and generosity her family extends to the world and everyone we encounter from here on forward," her son, Eric, said. Private memorial services will be held at the Veteran's National Cemetery in Riverside, and a joyful celebration and tribute to her life will be held at the East Lake Village Clubhouse, Monday, September 19, 12:00 p.m. (Village Center Drive, Yorba Linda). In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, City of Hope, or USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.