Marlene J. Everett James

Marlene Joyce Everett James, 88 of Gaylord, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, November 21, 2022, at The Porches in Gaylord after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Born February 2, 1934, in Wells, Michigan, she was the daughter of Gaylord and Florence (Dittrich) Blake.  Marlene was one of four children.

In 1960 Marlene married Gordon Everett.  Along with their 3 children they lived in Gaylord where she worked with him in their businesses: The Northern Star, Weeklies Inc., APS and Central Printing.  She and Gordon were very involved in the Gaylord community, the Otsego County Historical Society, and the Otsego County Fair.  Among other things, they were instrumental in the start of the Alpine themed architectural design of Gaylord.  Marlene enjoyed flower gardening; for many years she took care of the flowers around the Otsego County Building through the Edelweiss Garden Club. She also enjoyed riding horses with her family with the Top of Michigan Horse Club.

Marlene was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She treasured her children and grandchildren and embraced every moment with them. She especially loved her role as “Mimi”.  She was a wonderful cook, enjoyed golfing, lunch and shopping with her friends and was a champ at Rummikub.

After retirement Marlene and her husband enjoyed camping and traveling in their motorhome which included trips to Alaska and Mexico.  As avid sailors, they enjoyed their sailboat; even living abroad for a year in the Mediterranean. Eventually they settled in Stuart, Florida, for the winters.

Gordon preceded Marlene in death on November 7, 2003.  Later she married Lloyd James who also preceded her in death on January 10, 2020. Her daughter Cynthia Adams, stepson Gary Everett, parents, brother James Blake and sister Betty Karnitz also preceded her in death.

Marlene is survived by her children, Douglas (Sherry) Johnson of Gaylord and Janice (Al) Werbish of St. Johns; 2 stepchildren Vicki (Jerry) Donnatelli of Charlotte, NC and Monty (Jill) James of Vail, CO; brother, LeRoy (Karen) Blake of Pelham, NH; grandchildren Heather (Steve) Neubecker, Kimberly (Shawn) Koza, Kevin (Ashley) Johnson, Karl (Alivia) Johnson, Gordon (Sarah) Adams, Carrie (John) Miller, Missy Werbish, Pam (Don) Eichholz, Ryan Werbish, as well as 16 great grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, December 3, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church of Gaylord where visitation will begin at 12:00 pm. A luncheon will follow at BJ’s Convention Center. Interment will take place in the spring at Fairview Cemetery.  Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions to the Otsego County Historical Society or to the First Presbyterian Church of Gaylord. 

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on her guestbook below.