Marlene Milton

Marlene Milton 76, of Buena Park passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family, after a courageous fight with a long term illness. Marlene was born in Kentucky, daughter of Elmer and Lucia (Lowther) Hendren. Marlene raised her four children and then returned to the workforce supervising a Holiday Inn gift shop in Anaheim and later as an administrative assistant at Donnelly Marketing. Marlene’s true passion was spending time with her family. Marlene is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Kenneth Milton. They met working at an RCA repair center and have been sweethearts ever since. During retirement, they explored the states in their Bounder motor home, sharing many of their excursions with family and friends. One of their favorite adventures was a 50th Anniversary cruise to Alaska.


Marlene loved life and was always active. Marlene enjoyed dancing, music, travel, camping, games, antiquing, walking, shopping, and sharing time with those she loved. Every night of the week, Marlene had one of the grandchildren at her home for dinner and a little grandmotherly advice. Even the grandkids that lived out of state always came home to grandma’s house for a visit.


When Marlene wasn’t spending time with family, she was with her devoted friends (Mary, Ruthie, and Jean) in her walking group, the Wow Walkers at the Buena Park Mall; they enjoyed a healthy walk, gossip over coffee and a lasting friendship.


Marlene enjoyed helping others. She supported the neighborhood kids’ fundraisers, helped a sick friend, cared for hurt animals and always stepped in to support her family during difficult times. Long after her grandchildren promoted out of Dysinger Elementary School in Buena Park, Marlene continue to collect mall store receipts from friends, family and strangers to help the school win money for school supplies. Even after her illness her dedication touched her friends and they continued her crusade to help the school win new equipment. Marlene touched so many people lives in ways many may never know.


Marlene was survived by her husband, Ken; her children, Tricia, Linda and Becky; her 14 grandchildren, Jared, Deanna, Katrina, Nikki, Mandy, Kandice, Jeff, Jaime, Garrett, Kevin, Travis, Dylan, Hunter and Quentin and her18 great-grandchildren, Mariah, Cheyenne, Kenny, Del Ray, Jimmy, Adreanna, Rodney, Kylie, Peyton, Presley, Taylor, Jake, Landon, Lily, Lacy, Jayden, Saydee, and Drayke . Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Lucia, her son Rodney, her best friend Natalie, and her loyal friends, Smitty, Sarge and Lucky. A celebration of Marlene’s life will be held on July 11, 2015 at 5pm in Anaheim at her daughter Becky’s home. In lieu of flowers, please send donations on behalf of Marlene to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, by phone at 800-805-5856; by mail 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.