Marlene Yvonne Bachmann's Obituary
Marlene Yvonne Bachmann was born on the 4th of July 1935 in OK. Marlene's mother said she was the biggest little firecracker she ever saw! The Dust Bowl brought her family to Arizona in 1937. They picked cotton near Coolidge. In a letter home, her father wrote, "Marlene won't hardly go to the cotton field and when she does, she wants to ride somebody's sack all the time, she thinks she has to go everywhere I do, she's sure a case." Marlene and sister, Alberta; grew up in El Rio on Ontario Street in the home her father built. She loved her neighborhood and playground her father made. Friends were always welcome. During WWII they would decorate wagons and make their own patriotic parades. She loved going to the corner market for war rationed bubble gum and watching the Chinese grocer figure the total on his abacus. Marlene graduated from Tucson High School in 1953 and married sweetheart Gerald Bachmann in October. She attended the Tucson Police Academy in 1961. She worked in records, then in Communications. Calls were handled with hand written cards. From robberies, suicides, hostage situations, to those who wrapped themselves in tinfoil to avoid alien takeover, she handled all called with professionalism. She was part of the transition to the modern 911 system and proud of her service. During the 1983 flood as the most senior staff present at the TPD Station she coordinated city wide relief efforts from TPD Communications making key decisions. Coincidentally the 911 system went down at the time of her death on March 18. She loved writing and wrote two murder-mystery novels; Corridor of Death and Obedient 'Til Death. Widowed at 29 with three young children, she worked very hard and made sure her children played instruments, went to church and summer camp. Ghost town camping and cross country trips on a shoe string brought the family together. In recent years she loved volunteering for the Vail Preservation Society, and was never without a rescue dog to dote on. Marlene was reunited with her husband, the light and love of her life, Gerald (1933- 1964) on March 18, 2014. She is survived by their children, Jerrie Jean Lamb (Ken), Arthur Bachmann (Stacey), Karl Bachmann and grandchildren, Marlene, Alexandra, Megan, Erik, Gerald, Laura and great-grandchildren, Shiloh, Chloe, Ava, Charlotte; her sister, Alberta Schoder and doggy Tonto. Services will be held Wednesday, March 26, 2014 at EVERGREEN MORTUARY CHAPEL, W. Miracle Mile and Oracle Road. 1:00 p.m. Viewing, 2:00 p.m. Service. In lieu of Flowers a donation in her name to Pima Animal Care Center Partners, 4000 N. Silverbell Rd., Tucson, AZ., 85745 or Vail Preservation Society, P.O. 982, Vail, AZ., 85641 would please her very much.
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