Marlyn Gardner passed away on Sept. 20, 2022, at the University of California Davis Hospital in Sacramento, Calif., after being admitted for COVID-19 symptoms. She was approaching her 94th birthday. Her devoted daughter, Lissa, was at her bedside holding her hand as she delivered Marlyn to her eternal love, Bernard Gardner, her husband who died in 2017.

Marlyn was born in Butler in 1928. She was the youngest of nine children, born to Max and Bessie Arnovitz. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, and her eight siblings, Sarah, Samuel, Morris, Paul, Alyce, Pearl, Arthur and Pressley.

In 1953, Marlyn married the love of her life, Bernard Gardner. They were devoted to each other and remained married for over half a century. Their eternal love affair was always on display, holding hands and sitting on their back yard bench together enjoying the birds and chipmunks, who visited and felt safe in their company.

Bernie and Marlyn had two daughters, Dr. Amy Ifatolu Gardner and Lissa J. Gardner.

Marlyn is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Bernard and Marlyn resided in Elmhurst, Ill., for approximately 54 years.

Marlyn worked in the gift shop at the Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Arts. They also enjoyed the company of their “adopted” family, next-door neighbors, Lisa and Joe Laurx and their three children.

After Bernie’s death, Marlyn insisted on remaining in the family home. However in 2021, she relocated to Sunrise Assisted Living in Sacramento, to be closer to her daughters.

While at Sunrise, Marlyn was active in her exercise classes. Whenever there was music at the facility, Marlyn was there. She loved to dance with Lissa to the music of the “Sweet G's” whenever the husband and wife team entertained the residents. Marlyn was an avid reader and played bingo with her friends at Sunrise. Dining with Lissa at Andy Nguyen’s every weekend gave her great pleasure. She was a huge fan of the French fries and ordered them at every meal.

Marlyn was an advocate of pro-choice. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Planned Parenthood.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.