Marlene Heffner

Beloved wife, mom, nana, sister, aunt and friend, Marlene Ann (Matuszak)Heffner, 84, of Erie, Michigan passed away on July 7th, 2021 surrounded bythose who loved her most. She fought a long, courageous battle against LewyBody Dementia and Parkinsons Disease with grace and dignity until the very endof her journey. Marlene was born on June 5th, 1937 to Stella (Kubicz) Matuszakand Joseph Matuszak. She attended Woodward High School. Marlene worked atDons Drive In on Broadway in the South End where she met her husband Elbert.They were married on February 17th, 1962 and have spent the last 59 years oftheir lives being married to one another. During their marriage they raised twodaughters, Lynn and Kelly. Marlene had a kindness about her that wasunmatched and it never wavered during her illness. She was an avid DetroitTigers fan and loved to watch the games on tv. Marlene loved spending her timedown at the community center playing bingo with her friends or sticking to herdaily cleaning schedule. She loved to play board games with her family, watchthe Game Show Network and play along, and she loved to do word searchpuzzles. Marlene loved animals and if you asked her she would tell you that shehad seven granddogs. She never met an animal that she did not like. However, ifyou asked Marlene what her favorite thing to do was, she would have told you itwas spending time with her only grandchild, Hannah who was the light of her life.Marlene is survived by her husband of 59 years Elbert, daughters Lynn (Anthony)Jager and Kelly Heffner, granddaughter Hannah Jager, and sisters DoloresVarwig and Gloria Dzienny. In addition to her parents Marlene was preceded indeath by her sister, Ruth Easton. Marlene and her family would like to thank Dr.Ammar Kayyali and his nurse Christine along with the staff at Hospice ofNorthwest Ohio, especially her nurse, Jamie, her aide, Connie, and socialworker, Becky for their constant care, kindness, love, empathy, and supportduring this difficult journey. Marlene was more than just a patient to them and thefamily will be forever grateful for the care she received. In keeping with Marleneswishes there will be no visitation or services. Cremation services have beenentrusted to Blanchard Strabler Funeral Homes and Crematory. Those wishing tooffer memorials are asked to consider, in lieu of flowers, donations in Marleneshonor to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research or the ToledoHumane Society.You were an amazing mom and nana, we were blessed to have spent our livesbeing loved by you. It was an honor and a privilege to be your caregivers as youdealt with this horrible disease.When we lose someone we love we must learn not to live without them but tolive with the love they left behind. - Jordyn Bartolo