Marlene L. Colbeck

Marlene L. Colbeck, age 90, of Friendship Village, Upper St. Clair, PA, formerly of Merchantville, NJ, passed away peacefully on February 21, 2026.   She will be remembered for her unwavering commitment to helping others and for living her convictions with integrity and grace.

Born on September 28, 1935 in Ottawa, Ontario to the late Lillian and Leo Dery, Marlene was the wife of the late Derek Colbeck; loving mother of Jan (Barry) Brodzinski, Marcie Jordan, Jocelyn (John) Hillman and Tim (Mary) Colbeck; and very proud grandmother of 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She is survived by her brother, Adrian (Ginya) Dery.

A proud dual citizen of Canada and the United States, Marlene embraced both her Canadian heritage and her naturalized American citizenship with gratitude and pride. She remained deeply connnected to her Canadian roots and maintained her fluency in French throughout her life.

Marlene began her professional life as a teacher in Canada. Driven by a deep desire to serve, she later earned a master’s degree in social work and devoted herself to a career as a counselor and crisis worker. She was a passionate advocate for peace and social justice, often participating in peaceful demonstrations and actively supporting immigrant communities, as well as the rights of the unborn.

Her faith and principles were not simply spoken—they were lived. In the early 1980s, she opened her home to Vietnamese and Laotian refugees, helping to build a strong local Southeast Asian community. Her adventuresome spirit took her to several interesting places around the world.

Marlene’s vibrant spirit shone not only in her professional and advocacy work, but also in her independence and lifelong curiosity. She taught herself to sew and decorate cakes with professional flair, to play both the cello and piano, and—even into her eighties—could occasionally be found atop a ladder tackling home repairs herself.

In her final years at Friendship Village, Marlene continued to uplift those around her. She was known for her encouraging words, lively spirit, and thoughtful engagement. Even in later life, she remained devoted to her lifelong mission of bringing hope and comfort to others.

Marlene’s life was marked by service, creativity, and steadfast compassion. She leaves behind a legacy of kindness, courage, and enduring hope that will continue to resonate in the many lives she touched.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date.  Donations in Marlene’s memory can be made to Amnesty International.