Marlene Mae Smith

Marlene Rothschell Smith, 76, passed away at home in Long Beach, CA, on Sunday, March 24th, after an extended battle with a brain tumor. Marlene was born in North Platte, Nebraska, in 1937 and graduated from North Platte High in 1955. She married fellow North Platte resident Dayton Smith in 1956 and they were married until Dayton's passing in 2001. Marlene and Dayton moved to Long Beach in 1968. There she worked in banking, was a secretary and managed a Dick's Hallmark store in Long Beach before retiring. Marlene had a passion for life. She found joy in being with family and friends. She believed in having a good time and making sure those around her did too. She had a firecracker personality, which served her well when she appeared on some TV game shows. Marlene couldn't visit North Platte enough and loved her Nebraska Cornhuskers football team. This wonderful woman was incredibly proud of her family and their accomplishments. She was their biggest fan, often expressing her support with a hardy "Cock-a-doodle-doo!" Marlene could always be found attending the many activities of her six grandchildren. She loved attending or playing host to a party of family and friends, she was always the life of those parties. Marlene's big, beautiful smile will be dearly missed. This remarkable woman is survived by her second husband, Martin Rothschell, sons Lane and Kent, daughter Diana, daughters-in-law Della and Tammy, son-in-law Andy, brothers Bob, Gary and Ken Wills and her adoring grandchildren: Carly, Kyle, Mitchell, Delaney, Molly and Sasha. Marlene's funeral will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 6220 E. Willow St., Long Beach, CA, 90815 with internment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4471 Lincoln Ave Cypress, CA, 90630. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be sent to the UCLA Medical Sciences Development, Attn: Alan Han, 10945 Le Conte Ave Suite 3132, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1784.