Marlene (Austin) Miner

    MINER, Marlene (Austin), 72, MADISON, at Scarborough, February 23, 2014. Arrangements are under the care and guidance of Giberson Funeral Home, Madison.

    MADISON – Marlene (Austin) Miner, 72, of Old Orchard Beach, died peacefully with a friend at her side February 23, 2014, at Pine Point Nursing Rehabilitation Center in Scarborough. She was born on Dec. 8, 1941, in Skowhegan, the daughter of Merle H. and Mary E. (Dresser) Austin.
    At grade school in Madison, Marlene exhibited what would be a lifelong philosophy for her, equal opportunity for all people, as the sole student in her class to argue on the Brown side of Brown vs. Board of Education. Marlene graduated, Salutatorian, from Madison High School, class of 1960. She attended Thayer Hospital School of Medical Technology and earned her Associates Degree in Nursing at UMPI with a 4.0 gpa, in 1983, becoming a Registered Nurse in the state of Maine.
    Marlene worked as a Lab Technician at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor until 1970. She became a teacher’s aide at Cunningham Middle School for several years in Presque Isle. As an RN, Marlene worked in a number of hospital settings throughout Maine, including Aroostook Health Center in Presque Isle, the Aroostook Medical Center in Mars Hill, Redington-Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan, and Augusta Mental Health Institute.
    In 1993, Marlene drove solo across the country to see America and visit her children in California. She was active in the Democratic Party, supporting several local and statewide candidates over the years. Her political efforts culminated as a delegate from the state of Maine for Bill Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1996. The socially liberal values of the Democratic Party always appealed to Marlene’s sense of fairness and equality of opportunity for all. She was proud to help elect our first black president and, if given the opportunity she would have been proud to help elect our first female president, as well – she loved Barak and Hillary (but mostly Bill!).
    She is survived by two children, Gary D. Miner, Jr. “Dave” and his wife Olga Mikhaleva of San Diego, CA; Melissa (Miner) Molieri and one grandchild, Nickolas David Molieri both of Patterson, CA; and her beloved Boston Terrier, Sweetie Grace. She is also survived by a long-time friend, Marlene Iverson. 
    Marlene was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Gary D. Miner Sr. of Skowhegan and Presque Isle who died in 1986; and several beloved pets including six dogs, Smartie, Patches, Suzie, Buffy, Tawny & Baby, and two cats, Sam & Cece.
    A funeral service was held for Marlene at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 1, at Giberson Funeral Home, 40 Maple Street in Madison, ME 04950. A reception followed from 2 – 4 p.m. in Skowhegan. Arrangements are under the care and guidance of Giberson Funeral Home.