Obituary of Marlene Dee Wilson

Marlene Dee Wilson

April 30, 1965 - May 16, 2026

With heavy hearts, the family of Marlene Wilson wish to announce her sudden passing. She was a loving daughter, mother, partner, sister, aunt, friend and co-worker.

Marlene is survived by her daughter Shalene (Kyle), partner Ray Theobold, parents Jim & Marion Sodergren, sisters Darlene & Shelley (Lorne), niece Kylie (Dustin) & children, Kade & Nevada and nephew Josh (Chelsa) & daughter Mira as well as extended family & friends.

She was pre-deceased by sons Cody & Mark, her grandparents and brother-in-law Yvan Arnaly.

Her Life Story Went Like This.......

Marlene was born on April 30, 1965, in Edmonton, Alberta. It turns out she wasn't arriving alone but leading the way for her mirror image, identical twin sister, Darlene who followed 4 minutes later. A family of four had just started its journey. Younger sister, Shelley would join them in 1968.

The family lived in Valleyview, Slave Lake then back to Valleyview, AB (1965-67) before moving to Fort St John, BC in 1967. The frequent moves were due to her dad's work as a salesman for Western Rock Bit.

Living in Clairmont Subdivision was both country and town living with the benefits of both. She attended Grandhaven Elementary School, then on to Bert Bowes Jr. Secondary and graduation from North Peace Secondary in 1983. After high school graduation Marlene was looking for some city living and moved for a short time to Edmonton, AB, her birthplace. When she returned to Fort St John, Texaco Explorations office work was her first place of employment.

Marlene married Jack Wilson, whom she had known since high school, in 1988. They would spend 25 years together until unexpected life events and choices led them to go their separate ways. 1988 would also bring the birth and death of baby son, Cody, a defining moment that would take years to process. Mark's much welcomed birth would follow in October 1989. A baby sister, Shalene would arrive in January of 1993. Life looked perfect.

While raising her young family and making a home, Marlene decided a career in a school would be a perfect fit, making good use of that "extra energy" she always had. To that end, she went to work as an Educational Assistant (EA) at C M Finch Elementary School. In 1998 she then chose to expand her skills to an office position at North Peace Secondary School, working as their receptionist. After 9 years in that role, she once again moved on, this time to the student records secretary position in 2007 where she would remain until the spring of 2014. The volume of work she could do and the speed with which it was done were a constant amazement to her co-workers. This sometimes-included cleaning windows when she went home for lunch, as only Marlene would do. Countless students, staff and parents were the beneficiaries of her kindness and genuine desire to help in both roles while at NPSS.

The years, after leaving NPSS, were filled with unexpected turns, moves and chasing elusive dreams. Ultimately, navigating these tumultuous times left her feeling alone, isolated and seeking stability once again. In 2016 Marlene returned to full time employment with School District#60 back where it all began at C M Finch Elementary School, this time as an administrative assistant in the office. This was truly a full circle moment. Her intention was to remain there until retirement. The universe had other plans. The Finch school team and community valued her as a very important member. The staff, students and Finch families will miss her greatly.

February 2, 2020, became another defining moment in Marlene's life. An avalanche that would claim Mark's life rocked her world to its core. Along with the shock, there was the agony of four and a half months waiting for the mountain to release him back to her. The following years of grief and sometimes despair took its toll.

On May 16, 2026, it was Marlene's turn to shock and rock everyone else's world. While sleeping in a new home for the first time, she had laid her head to rest for one last time.

Her Facebook post on May 12th read: "well Mark your mama is moving to her forever home".

She kept her word; she just got the address wrong.

Now Mark & Cody get to share that "forever home" with her.

Marlene's memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Fort St. John Hospital Auxiliary or to a charity of your choice.