So sorry to hear about Marlene .We were good friends and reconnected for awhile.
Came here to stay with me and then lost touch.
I have tried to look for obituaries in Scottsdale but no information available
Marlene was a talented singer. On our senior talent night, she sang a torch song -- I can't remember the name now, but I was pressed into service to accompany her on the piano. It's my best memory of her, and one of my favorite memories of our senior year.
Nancy Gould Ladisky worked for two days to contsct the family of Marlene Golding Schaffer. She was ultimately successful, and sent the following further information.
Nancy spoke with Marlene's son, Bruce.
Marlene passed on 15 Octobwe 2025 from complications of diabetes. She had been in failing health for the prior six months. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her very close family.
She leaves behind her immediate family consisting of her son Bruce, his wife and Marlene's 2 granddaughters.
Her older son, Dan passed away about 10 years ago.
Thanks for your effort, Nancy Gould Ladisky Good job...well done!!
I also spoke with Marlene Golding Schaffer’s son. He shared this additional information. Marlene had suffered various Diabetic commas but had just recovered from one and the doctors were hopeful. But within a very short time of exiting the ICU, she unexpectedly began to rapidly decline and passed. She had valiantly dealt with Diabetes since her 20’s. A small service was held for immediate family and friends.
While an obituary was not posted, her son stated that if any wished, contributions could be made to organizations related to Diabetes, abused children or women, care of animals—any organization that provides support of some sort.
Marlene and I grew up on the same street so I knew her since we were in the same elementary school. We followed each other through junior high and then both went to Taft. After graduation, we went our separate ways. We renewed our friendship at the first reunion I went to--our 20th. Marlene was the girl who greeted us at the door who had become an elegant lady. I said that to my mother, who had known Marlene throughout all those years. Much later, she came to visit my mother and me and my mother said, “Marlene is pretty; I don’t just mean pretty—I mean really pretty.” She was and much more. She had a beautiful singing voice and in addition, composed the Taft Fight Song that is on the school website sung by the class of 1959. Her frequent laugh was a melodious one. Her being was one of warmth and generosity. Along with that, she was a very successful businesswoman. She had studied gems and sold jewelry in Polacheck’s Jewelers. She specialized in diamonds and I’m sure she made them very happy with her sales. She later started her own business in Santa Monica and then moved to Scottsdale, again opening a store. It was in or near a Hilton hotel where she developed such a following that she needed a larger space. She moved to a new shopping center where there were various large chains. Her much smaller store outsold them.
I never heard her complain even though her near life-long battle with diabetes was a tough one. For about the last three years of her life, she was in a senior facility, where she did not want to be. But she told me that she never wanted her moods to discourage her family and friends from visiting, so she decided to be happy. Her joys were her sons, Danny and Bruce. Both eventually moved near her in Arizona. The greatest heartbreak of her life was losing her older son, Danny. Her greatest happinesses were Bruce and his wife Sheryl and the two prized granddaughters, Mia and Ava. Bruce said they were all with her during her last days.
In Marlene’s profile she wrote that she was a mother to her adored small dog, Bentley. I visited Marlene in Scottsdale and I hope to share the pictures (that I don’t know how to post at the moment) of us and of her and Bentley taken in 2019.
The two lovely pictures of Marlene were from Linda Larson Ashley. She asked me to post them for her. Linda loves the one with Marlene and her beautiful white dog. Marlene will be missed!
Nancy Gould (Ladisky)
So sorry to hear about Marlene .We were good friends and reconnected for awhile.
Came here to stay with me and then lost touch.
I have tried to look for obituaries in Scottsdale but no information available
Christine Sutton (Upton)
Marlene was a talented singer. On our senior talent night, she sang a torch song -- I can't remember the name now, but I was pressed into service to accompany her on the piano. It's my best memory of her, and one of my favorite memories of our senior year.
Sandra Malek
Nancy Gould Ladisky worked for two days to contsct the family of Marlene Golding Schaffer. She was ultimately successful, and sent the following further information.
Nancy spoke with Marlene's son, Bruce.
Marlene passed on 15 Octobwe 2025 from complications of diabetes. She had been in failing health for the prior six months. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her very close family.
She leaves behind her immediate family consisting of her son Bruce, his wife and Marlene's 2 granddaughters.
Her older son, Dan passed away about 10 years ago.
Thanks for your effort, Nancy Gould Ladisky Good job...well done!!
Linda Larson (Ashley)
I also spoke with Marlene Golding Schaffer’s son. He shared this additional information. Marlene had suffered various Diabetic commas but had just recovered from one and the doctors were hopeful. But within a very short time of exiting the ICU, she unexpectedly began to rapidly decline and passed. She had valiantly dealt with Diabetes since her 20’s. A small service was held for immediate family and friends.
While an obituary was not posted, her son stated that if any wished, contributions could be made to organizations related to Diabetes, abused children or women, care of animals—any organization that provides support of some sort.
Linda Larson (Ashley)
Marlene and I grew up on the same street so I knew her since we were in the same elementary school. We followed each other through junior high and then both went to Taft. After graduation, we went our separate ways. We renewed our friendship at the first reunion I went to--our 20th. Marlene was the girl who greeted us at the door who had become an elegant lady. I said that to my mother, who had known Marlene throughout all those years. Much later, she came to visit my mother and me and my mother said, “Marlene is pretty; I don’t just mean pretty—I mean really pretty.” She was and much more. She had a beautiful singing voice and in addition, composed the Taft Fight Song that is on the school website sung by the class of 1959. Her frequent laugh was a melodious one. Her being was one of warmth and generosity. Along with that, she was a very successful businesswoman. She had studied gems and sold jewelry in Polacheck’s Jewelers. She specialized in diamonds and I’m sure she made them very happy with her sales. She later started her own business in Santa Monica and then moved to Scottsdale, again opening a store. It was in or near a Hilton hotel where she developed such a following that she needed a larger space. She moved to a new shopping center where there were various large chains. Her much smaller store outsold them.
I never heard her complain even though her near life-long battle with diabetes was a tough one. For about the last three years of her life, she was in a senior facility, where she did not want to be. But she told me that she never wanted her moods to discourage her family and friends from visiting, so she decided to be happy. Her joys were her sons, Danny and Bruce. Both eventually moved near her in Arizona. The greatest heartbreak of her life was losing her older son, Danny. Her greatest happinesses were Bruce and his wife Sheryl and the two prized granddaughters, Mia and Ava. Bruce said they were all with her during her last days.
In Marlene’s profile she wrote that she was a mother to her adored small dog, Bentley. I visited Marlene in Scottsdale and I hope to share the pictures (that I don’t know how to post at the moment) of us and of her and Bentley taken in 2019.
Pamella Mayo (Fell)
Pamella Mayo (Fell)
Pamella Mayo (Fell)
The two lovely pictures of Marlene were from Linda Larson Ashley. She asked me to post them for her. Linda loves the one with Marlene and her beautiful white dog. Marlene will be missed!