Marlene Patricia Gorman passed in peace surrounded by family and friends on Nov. 16 at the age of 89. She was at home in Pine Orchard. Marlene was born Aug. 14, 1933 and was raised along with her brothers, Ted and Ron and her sister Betty, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island by her loving parents, Dorothy (Macomber) and Michael Silantien.

Marlene was very active and loved her family, friends and community. She thrived on helping others, volunteering and working with many and various community-based organizations. She frequented and helped out often at Saint Mary’s and Saint Theresa’s Churches as a faithful member of the congregation and CCD teacher, as well as being a Eucharistic minister. She was a former president of the Branford Garden Club, Woman’s Club, and PTA. She was a member of the CWGA, the ladies golf chairwoman, and the first woman to be elected to the board of governors at the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club.

Marlene was a decorated flight attendant for Eastern Airlines in the 1950s, when traveling by plane was a very special event for most everyone. She remained an avid traveler as long as she could. She was a competitor and an exceptional athlete. She enjoyed the competition and camaraderie of golf, tennis, bridge, and mahjong. She was a frequent runner up in most major POYCC championship tournaments and matches. She loved animals and volunteered often at local animal shelters. She could often be seen walking her puppies around Pine Orchard offering a friendly smile and wave to strangers and friends alike.

She is survived by her son William P. Gorman; her daughter Nancy (Gorman) Knickerbocker (David); her grandchildren, Haley and William T. Gorman; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers, sister and son-in-law David.

Her family would like to give special thanks to the amazing women that loved and cared for her through her long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s: Teryl Imperato, Shelaugh D’Amico, Sharon Grasso, Lori Tracy, and Yameli Jones. We would also like to thank CT Hospice for being so wonderful, especially Janet, Lauren and Brittany.

Her funeral will leave at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning, Nov. 19, at the W. S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. John Bosco Parish at St. Therese Church, 105 Leetes Island Road, Branford. Burial will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery, Branford. Visiting hours from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday evening, Nov. 18, at the funeral home. For directions and online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.