Marlene Gail (Braidwood) Mahan

Marlene Gail (Braidwood) Mahan, born in Winnipeg, Canada on March 24, 1949, passed peacefully at home on June 17, 2024 with family at her side, after a struggle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s. Marlene’s family moved to the US when she was four, she grew up in Minneapolis and Orange County, and moved to Santa Rosa at age 17. She graduated from Montgomery High School in 1967, Santa Rosa Junior College in 1969, and Sonoma State in 1972, earning her teaching credentials. 

Marlene married Gary Mahan in 1970, and welcomed sons Josh in 1973 and Brian in 1975. Marlene spent the early years of marriage raising her boys, supporting Gary through school, and part-time teaching. She began full time teaching second grade in 1983 in Windsor, where she retired in 2007, and continued substitute teaching until 2019. One of Marlene’s happiest places was in her classroom, where she spent years organizing, labeling, and perfecting her curriculum to help kids love learning. She built lifelong friendships with many of her colleagues, and looked forward to their rowdy games of Bunco. Even when she wasn’t in a classroom, she was gently giving lessons to those around her, encouraging others to wear a hat, put on sunscreen, and eat fruit.

Marlene was a lifetime volunteer and advocate. After losing her son Josh, she dedicated herself to the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Sonoma County, leading the Tools For Transition program.  At her church of more than 30 years, the Center for Spiritual Living, she served in many capacities. Being a “universal donor”, she also made countless blood donations throughout her life.

Marlene loved being active. A key part of her routine included Aqua classes at Parkpoint with friends, and.she was always up for a hike in the redwoods or a walk at Doran Beach to visit the memorial bench for Josh.  Dancing was her passion, after retirement she participated in more than 80 weekend dances, serving on the board of the Contra Dance Society, organizing carpools and photographs, and hosting dancers from out of town at her home. Her favorites were always waltzes, and she would sew pennies into her skirts to make them twirl.  Her dance community remembers her joy, her smile, and her welcoming spirit, always noticing and encouraging new dancers.

Marlene is preceded in death by her parents Eileen (Sim) and Neil Braidwood; son Joshua Mahan, and brother Gary Braidwood. She is survived by son, Brian (Michelle) Mahan; siblings Roger Braidwood and Sheri (Frank) Leslie; niece, Allyson Leslie and nephews, Zach and Eli Braidwood, and grandniece Natoli Rose Braidwood. Her family included Olivia Granados and she is “GramMarlene” to Mia and Gus Granados.

Family and Friends are invited to attend a memorial service at the Center for Spiritual Living, 2075 Occidental Rd, Santa Rosa, on Saturday July 13, 2024, at 10:00 am with reception to follow. For additional details, please visit the websites of Lafferty and Smith or the Center for Spiritual Living.

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