Marlene Ruth Meshinski

Marlene Ruth Hales Meshinski

Born July 6, 1932, Ogden, Utah

Died July 4, 2024, Cedar Hills, Utah

Marlene Hales Meshinski passed away peacefully on July 4, 2024, with her sister Karen at her side. She was born July 6, 1932, in Ogden Utah to Arthur and Ruth Jackson Hales. She was preceded in death by her husband Francis “Ski” Meshinski, and her brother Keith Hales. Her children, Denise and husband David Van Blerkom of Danville, CA, Kevin and his wife, Tammy Meshinski of Layton, UT, and Allison and husband Jim Jensen of Payson, UT survive her. She also leaves 12 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter-in-law.

She grew up during the Depression as a member of the “Greatest Generation.” She had a younger brother Keith, and younger sister Karen. She remembered taking long train trips to visit cousins in California when she was quite young, and other long trips there with her family in the car. Marlene and her family moved to Palo Alto for her father’s work when she was a teenager.

Marlene was a spunky and social young lady, with many marvelous adventures, and lots of fun with friends and dates with various young men. She loved ballroom dancing, singing and performing in church road shows. Some of her favorite memories included singing in a stake choir in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, and singing for the Prophet, President David O. McKay, at the dedication of the Oakland LDS temple in 1964. 

Marlene met the love of her life, Francis “Ski” Meshinski, when he was on leave from his service in the Marines, during the summer of 1948. They had a number of friends in common, and corresponded off and on for several years, including during Ski’s combat duty in the Korean War. After the war they dated more seriously, and were married on July 26, 1952, by David B. Haight, a family friend who later became an Apostle in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ski had been raised Catholic but was always respectful of Marlene’s faith. He later converted and was baptized into the LDS church, and Marlene and Ski were sealed for time and eternity in the Los Angeles Temple, along with their daughter Denise, on March 17, 1961. Kevin was born later that year, and Allison was born in 1966. Marlene and Ski retired in 2000 and moved from Palo Alto to Lincoln, California. Ski died in January 2003, and Marlene was looking forward to their reunion for more than 21 years. We are so happy for them now, and can imagine them celebrating the 4th of July together and Marlene’s 92nd birthday two days later.

Marlene was well known amongst her community and her family as a skilled swim instructor. Many of her grandchildren and even her great-grandchildren have great memories of being taught by Grandma Ski. But it was always important to keep the pool warm (a strong family trait). 

She loved family history and wrote and published several books on family history and was the director of a Family History Center for a number of years.

Marlene was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life and served in many important leadership capacities. Those include multiple periods as Relief Society President at the Ward, Stake and Regional level. She was also a Ward Young Women’s President, a counselor in several auxiliaries many times, and a seminary teacher. Several of her past students have said she was their favorite seminary teacher. She also served as a Young Women’s Camp Director or Assistant Director for quite a few years. 

Marlene also served as a temple worker in the Sacramento temple in her later years and loved all her service opportunities in the Church. She considered Family History one of her most important legacies. 

Marlene also loved the performing arts, often singing in choirs as mentioned previously, and directing or helping with many church road shows, often with her dear friend Colette Taylor. Marlene and Ski also joined with Colette and Hank Taylor to put on the now famous Palo Alto Christmas Crèche exhibit which has been a community staple for over 36 years. 

Marlene wrote most of this life summary herself a few years before her passing and concluded by saying that “Ski and Marlene considered their family the most important accomplishment of their lives.”

In leu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity in Marlene’s name.

Condolences may be expressed to the family on this page.