Marlene Elizabeth (Groetz) Lester

February 24, 1933 - July 11, 2020

Marlene Elizabeth (Groetz) Lester passed away Saturday, July 11, 2020 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Daniel Lester, her sons Michael (Gregory Arencibia), Christopher (Jenny) and Thomas (Louise) and her grandson Steven. Born in Amesbury, MA on February 24, 1933, she had two sisters, Pauline Woodward and Winifred Ballard. Marlene graduated from Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing in 1953. She worked in Boston, San Francisco, and Lakeland before settling on the Suncoast. Her career at Venice Community Hospital began in 1971, and she rose to manage a 45-bed floor before retiring in 1994. She studied nights to earn a Bachelor of Science in Management from Nova University in 1987. She left medicine to help with administration at Dan’s construction company, Southeastern Communication Service, Inc. Marlene was active at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church where she helped deliver groceries to migrant families. She enjoyed ballroom dancing, world travel, aerobics, and lunches with her dear friends, the “Gabby Girls”. A mass will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 22, 2020 at 10:00 AM and she will be laid to rest at the Sarasota National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders, USA.