Marlene Mandich Swanson OBITUARY
Marlene Mandich Swanson was born in Stockton, California and moved with her family to Los Gatos, Ca where she entered the fourth grade at Louis Van Meter elementary school. Marlene lived most of her life in Los Gatos graduating from Los Gatos High School and San Jose State University with a Bachelor's degree in Geography and a California State Teaching Credential.
Marlene met Herb Swanson in 1972, married in 1976, and lived in Palo Alto, then San Jose, and then Los Gatos where they raised their family. Marlene and Herb were married for 48 years.
Marlene taught kindergarten in the Evergreen School District for 30 years starting at Holly Oak School and retiring from J.J. Montgomery School in 2002. Marlene adored her classroom children and loved their enthusiasm, their thirst for learning and their joy; and they in turn loved Marlene. At J.J. Montgomery School, she met and forged lifelong friendships with her kindergarten teacher colleagues – as a member of her beloved "Kindercrew". Marlene then became a member of the P.E.O. Chapter OS, a philanthropic educational organization where women help women to achieve their educational goals through scholarships. Marlene's friendship and love for her P.E.O. chapter extended throughout her life. Marlene was Chapter OS Chaplain for seven years.
Marlene was a people person, embodied selfless service, and loved to make those around her happy. She was a consummate cook and baker known for her delicious pies, apple strudels, Blenheim apricot and olallieberry jams, and Christmas cookie platters. Her feasts at Thanksgiving and Christmas were legendary, and she enjoyed the challenge of making new desserts for the annual New Year's Eve dinner's 'dessert course'. This love for creating and cooking was generously given to many organizations where Marlene volunteered. Marlene was an active member and Secretary for the Saint Michael's Women's Auxiliary " KOLO" at Saint Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church in Saratoga, Ca. Marlene chaired bake sales, large dinners and events, and held this position for 12 years in a job she truly loved and cherished. Marlene also volunteered at Gamble Garden, Palo Alto, Ca as a member of the Luncheon Committee for years, and was one of the authors for the Gamble Garden Cookbook. Marlene also was on the Los Gatos High School marching band food committee for 4 years.
Marlene loved to travel and visited many countries, including France, England, Italy, Germany, Austria, Ireland, Soviet Union, Serbia, and Montenegro. Her parents, Nicolas Mandich and Danitza Markovich Mandich, both have roots in Montenegro, and Marlene loved her visits there with her relatives and remained connected throughout her life. Marlene treasured her five trips to France with her daughter Kristen.
Marlene loved to garden and take care of her beautiful Los Gatos home. She thoroughly enjoyed growing tomatoes and making tomato sauce, as well as tending to zucchini, many other vegetables, citrus trees, and roses. She had an enormous cookbook collection, loved to collect recipes, and used her garden bounty to prepare many wonderful meals.
Marlene was full of life. She loved her family who meant the world to her. She always looked forward to holiday gatherings and the joy of everyone being together. She loved playing and making pancakes with her grandson, Hamza, who brought such joy to her. Marlene made many lifelong best friends who enriched her life, and she theirs. Marlene was loved dearly by so many people, and those family and friends meant so much to her. She considered each a best friend and a blessing. Marr, as many affectionately called her, will be deeply missed. She passed peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, November 8.
Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, Nicolas Mandich and Danitza Markovich Mandich of Los Gatos, Ca. Marlene is survived by Herb, her husband of 48 years; son Carl (Salma) Swanson of Los Gatos, Ca; daughter Kristen (Paul) Davidson of Austin, TX; brother Mitch (Rebecca) Mandich of Sausalito, Ca; nephew Matthew Mandich of Sausalito, Ca; niece Madeleine (Chris) Mazzola of Sausalito, Ca; grandson Hamza Swanson; great niece Maizie Mazzola.
Evening Prayer Service will be held at Alameda Family Funeral and Cremation, 12341 Saratoga Sunnyvale Rd, Saratoga, CA, on Thursday, November 14 at 7 pm.
Funeral Service will be held at St. Archangel Michael Serbian Church, 18870 Allendale Ave. at 10 am on Friday, November 15. Burial Service will follow at the Los Gatos Memorial Park, 2255 Los Gatos Almaden Rd., San Jose, Ca 95124.
The family suggests memorial donations to be sent to St. Archangel Michael Serbian Church.
