On July 16, 2026, surrounded by love and family, Marlene Marshall Pullman passed away peacefully at home after a fall and a short illness. She lived a life full of love and warmth, fun and family.

Born on Sept. 14, 1932, Marlene was a Great Depression baby and a WWII child, raised by a single mother. She and her brother grew up alongside housemates and victory gardens. In her younger years, she played the accordion, ice skated, and was a majorette at San Diego High School, where she graduated in 1950.

In 1952, she married Fletcher Pullman, the boy she'd fallen for in high school. Over the next several years, they welcomed four children — Steve, Cindy, Diana, and Chris — and built a family that would remain the center of her world for the rest of her life.

In 1970, facing life as a single mom, Marlene moved her four children back to the family home on Ohio Street, where her mother, Helen, lived in her charming, classic Spanish-style home. She worked hard to give her children a stable, loving childhood — first with San Diego City Schools, and later as an administrative assistant in the UCSD Literature Department, a job she held until her retirement in 1992.

Retirement didn't slow Marlene down — it set her free. For the next thirty years, she traveled the world, chasing adventure and laughter with the people she loved most. Her travels took her to Canada, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Russia, China, the Panama Canal, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Holy Land, Jordan, and Egypt, along with many summers spent in the Northwest and on Friday Harbor in the San Juan Islands.

Marlene was a great cook and loved being surrounded by people and participating fully in life. She and her friends started a little catering business together and spent their earnings on traveling together. She enjoyed square dancing and swing dancing for years, always ready to kick up her heels and have a good time. She loved musicals and theater and ushered for decades with a group of friends at Lambs Players theater, Christian Community Theatre and numerous other venues. She also volunteered at Caroline’s Pub at the Old Globe Theatre for 20 years. She was an avid bridge player, belonging to several different groups. She stayed current with investment options and health ideas by attending seminars at UCSD, reading reliable newsletters and participating in an investment club.

The family wishes to thank Grandma Helen, who opened her home and her life to this rambunctious family invasion of 4 kids ages 10-16 and supported her daughter lovingly. Also warm thanks to Kathy and Marlene's back house renters, who helped support Marlene in her home for years. The family extends deep gratitude to Marlene's live-in companions Martha, Ima, and Laura, who brought her joy, activity, and laughter over the past two years. A special thanks to Laura, who lovingly cared for Marlene during her last months, bringing her much peace and comfort.

Marlene is survived by her children, Cindy Brinn (Bob) of Bellingham, WA, Diana Pullman of Pt. Richmond, CA, and Chris Pullman (Julia) of San Diego; her brother, William Marshall (Lydia); her seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and three nieces, all of whom carry a piece of her spirit forward. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Marshall and William Marshall; her son, Steven Marshall Pullman; and her cherished friend, Jim Stegal.

Marlene's story was one of quiet resilience and boundless love — a woman who built a home, raised a family, and filled every room she entered with warmth and laughter. She spent her golden years living every bit as fully as she'd always encouraged her children to live theirs. She had the ability to make everyone feel special, including strangers she met in front of her house! Marlene was exceedingly generous, very competent and independent, made excellent decisions and always

wanted to be in charge and know what was happening. She laughed out loud often—at herself mostly and with anyone for many reasons. So much fun she was. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A celebration of life will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, 3967 Park Blvd at 2:00 PM on August 22nd. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Father Joe’s Villages, a ministry to the unhoused, at myneighbor.org.