Marlene Underwood

Marlene Underwood Remembrance

April 28, 1945 – June 29, 2023

Marlene “Marlee” Underwood would like to let you know that her work here is done. She received a call, the sort of an offer you can’t refuse, for an appointment from which she will not be returning. This assignment comes with a sign-on bonus: the reunion with special friends and family she has not seen in a long time. Her new journey takes her to a wonderful place where she will continue to be a confident, outspoken activist and expand her mind to her hearts content.  Laughter, smiles, music, walking, reading are guaranteed. Forevermore she will enjoy the quiet beauty of predawn (her favorite time of day), beautiful trees and delicate spring flowers.  Although we know she is not here anymore, she is counting on her close friends to carry on and think of her from time to time!

She left her plans and wishes (of course she did) for Karen, Mike, Will and Amanda to celebrate her journey here, which has now been completed. She was a mom, ‘bonus mom’, a nana, a sister, an aunt, a mentor and a friend.

She lived a healthy fulfilling life, personally and professionally.  Always a smile and a hug! Always grateful for the smallest things! On her daily walks, when passing a stranger, she’d smile and often there was a return greeting and at times a special new friend.

Throughout her life, in addition to her career, she volunteered her time and resources to a wide range of Sacramento organizations. Highpoints of her professional career included being one of three executive founding officers of Point West Bank in Sacramento. The business bank was highly successful in the community due to the exceptional leadership and friendship of the core team including Thayer Prentice, the remarkably gifted gathering of empowered employees and the notable board members and business customers.  For Point West, everything was about building others up, providing exceptional service, having a good time and giving back to the community.  Following the sale of the bank, she continued utilizing her leadership skills in the hospitality industry. While there, she partnered with a local organization resulting in opportunities for persons with disabilities which enabled them to gain meaningful job experience. She then transitioned into yet another career in the non-profit sector (WEAVE, Easter Seals & more) which filled her soul – as if that was her destiny all along. She dedicated her life to volunteering and being of service to others.  She always said she would never die wealthy but she would die happy.

She was an activist to the end and her legacy will be carried forward by those she mentored, her close friends, her immediate family, and most especially her grandchildren. Many of you know how proud she was of her family.

In her life, she sought out fascinating vacations, some solo but many with treasured friends. She was always grateful that she took the time to travel while she was in the prime of her life, making many wonderful memories.

For those who knew her well, she will be remembered as someone who thrived by creating change; if it’s working, we can always make it better! Throughout her life she had a sharp mind; always passionately curious about learning new things. Calm endurance was one of her unique traits; she intuitively knew how to quietly take care of any crisis that came her way. She was a positive, forward-thinking leader, mentor and friend who could find laughter in every situation … even to the end.

Stay Loud – Stay Strong!

In lieu of any services, she would encourage you to reach out to those in your life with whom you shared a common bond and share a laugh, a smile, a hug, and enjoy some simple moments together.

If you wish, you may share your remembrances online here at this Sierra View website or via email with her family.  We would appreciate hearing from you.

In lieu of flowers, if you’d like to support an organization reflecting some of her interests, please consider giving of your time or making a donation to:

Planned Parenthood
WEAVE
Stage Right Productions
Obama Foundation
Nature Conservancy
Easter Seals Sacramento