Marcene C. Cleary

Marcene C. Cleary, resident of Garden Grove, died peacefully Jan. 31, 2018 at the age of 91 after a lengthy struggle with end stage heart failure. She is survived by her sister Nelda Joy Sellers, brother John (Linda) Mewbourn, and sister in-law Sandra Carman, all of Tennessee, as well as many nieces and nephews there and in New York state. She is predeceased by her brothers Harmon and Harold Carman, and sister Doris Lavelle. In Southern California she is survived by her daughters Joy (Cleary) Yezeski, Renee Cleary, and son Mark Cleary. She is also survived by her longtime companion Dominick Mollica. Also surviving her are her grandsons John (Tracy Tobin) Yezeski and Jeff Yezeski, and great granddaughters Shiiann Yezeski, Perri Tobin and Lily Tobin.
Marcene was born in Hayti, Missouri May 26, 1926 and lived in Tennessee and New Orleans until moving to New York state in 1946 to marry Edward Cleary (Deceased 1995). In 1964 they moved to Southern California permanently. Marcene worked for the telephone company for most of her life, but loved to travel, do gardening and play the slot machines at Harrah's. She was also an accomplished ballroom dancer, winning national competitions in tango and rumba in the 1980's. She was crowned Queen Marcene at her 90th birthday celebration, which she thoroughly enjoyed.
She was always a popular, vivacious, and strong woman, beautiful inside and out, and much loved by her family and friends.
Visitation from 5-9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, at Forest Lawn, Cypress. Funeral services Tues. Feb. 20, 2 pm at the Church of Our Fathers ( white church) at Forest Lawn, Cypress.