Marlene Blanche McKenzie

MCKENZIE, Marlene B. (Pendy) Age 90 of White Bear Lake. Passed away on September 3, 2024. Preceded in death by her husband, Patrick; Was born to the late William E. and Agatha C. Pendy(Keppers) in 1934 and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota; Brothers, John(Jack) (Agnes) Pendy, Edmond(Ed) (Bernice)Pendy; Sisters Lauretta (Anthony) Charles, Florence (Thomas) McGraw, Marie (Joseph) Zieminski ; In-Laws: Lawrence (Corinne) McKenzie, William (Violet May) McKenzie, Rosemarie (William) Fleck, Kate (Gunner) Johnson, Thomas (Deloris) McKenzie, Dennis (Zoel) McKenzie, Richard (Myrtis) McKenzie, Mary Ann (Jerry) Mettes; Survived by Sisters-in-law: Violet May (William) McKenzie and Delores (Thomas) McKenzie; Children: Patrick (Jill), Maureen (Jim) McKenzie-Carlson, Mark (Sarah), Therese, Michael (Julie), John (Amy), Kathy (Brian) McKenzie-Halverson, Judy; 16 Grandchildren, Sandy, Kelly, Patrick, Alanna, Nicole, Tori, Will, Grayson, Ashley, Arin, Megan, Kaity, Zach, Thomas, Tina, Tony: 15 Great-Grandchildren Kelly’s} Brenna, Tegan, Devin, Kennedy; Tina’s} Tessa, Tayler; Ashley’s} Hunter, Mack, Dove; Arin’s} John, Jensen, Baby Miles, Samuel; Kaity’s} Theodore, Henry. Wake is 12-4 PM on Thursday, September 12th, at Sandberg Mortuary and Cremation. Mass of Christian burial is 11:00 AM on Friday, September 13th, at the Church of Saint Pius X(SPX), 3878 Highland Ave, White Bear Lake, MN 55110; (651) 237-5540. There will be a short viewing before the Mass at SPX at 10-10:45 AM. Private Family time 10:45-11:00 AM.

Marlene Blanche McKenzie (Pendy), born in St. Paul's Bethesda Hospital on June 30, 1934, was the first member of her family to be born in a hospital.

Having lost her father William at the tender age of five, Marlene had few memories of him but recalled how much she loved to sit on his lap. She also recalled his penchant for coming home from work on a whim and proclaiming, “Let’s pack up and go to the cabin!”

Even after William passed, Marlene and her mother Agatha would stay at the Isle of Pines resort for weeks at a time during the summer. Her siblings and other members of her extended family would occasionally join them.  Her sister Florence (later known as Taii to Marlene’s children) and her husband Muggs would come visit on the weekends.

This served as the inspiration for many family vacations with Marlene’s own children at various northern Minnesota resorts. A family favorite was Old Point Comfort on Lake Ada, near Pine River, where the family spent two weeks of 16 consecutive summers.

Marlene attended St. Patrick Catholic School for her elementary and middle school education, a nearly three-mile round-trip walk from the family home on Jackson Street.

From there, she received her secondary education from Washington High School. During that time, she cultivated a love for singing, which led to her voice being heard on the radio. In addition, Marlene developed a love for sports, which led to her participating in many of them, including tennis, basketball, bowling, golf and ice skating.

In fact, Marlene would later spend several years bowling with her sister Marie, even winning a few tournaments with her.

Following high school, Marlene attended the College of St. Catherine, which she did for one life-changing year during which she met the love of her life – her soul mate – Patrick McKenzie. The couple was married on July 9, 1955, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

The weeks that followed were bittersweet for Marlene, as the new bride lost her mother a month after the wedding. Without her mother’s guidance, she and Patrick raised eight beautiful children together, whom she loved deeply.

Beyond the aforementioned resort stays, the family’s most memorable vacation was a two-week western adventure in a Winnebago highlighted by a visit to Disneyland.

Tragically, Marlene lost Patrick on October 30, 1984, after a long, difficult battle with cancer. She was only 49. Patrick was an all-too-young 52.

Marlene returned to school a year later at the age of 50, ultimately receiving an Associate of Arts Degree from Lakewood Community College with plans to pursue a 4-year degree at St. Cloud State University. Unfortunately, she developed health issues and was unable to continue.

During the latter part of her life, Marlene was faced with many hardships and health issues that she struggled to overcome. Being a devout Catholic, she relied heavily on her faith and prayer for strength.

Many who cared for Marlene often commented that her strong will to live was like nothing they had ever witnessed before. We explained that her love for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was her motivating force to survive.

Therese McKenzie

14529 Willemite Street NW, Apt 420

Ramsey, Minnesota 55303