Marlene Brinkman Obituary

Marlene Ann Brinkman was born on October 5, 1935, in Springfield, IL, to Harry Anderson Westbrook and Agnes (Lamit) Westbrook. Marlene was the youngest of four children. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Dorothy Howell and Helen Westbrook, and her brother, Harry Westbrook.

Marlene began elementary school in Springfield until the family moved to Los Angeles, where she attended Hawthorne Elementary and later graduated from George Washington High School. After graduating, Marlene joined the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) with the US Navy. She was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, serving honorably from 1955 to 1958. She earned the rank of PN3 and played on the Navy's first women's softball team. While at Camp Pendleton, WAVES often performed clerical or medical support roles, which aligned perfectly with her later career in medical records and bookkeeping.

It was during her time in the service that she met her future husband, Robert. Marlene married Robert (Bob) Frederick Brinkman in Denver, CO, on August 16, 1958. They had three daughters: Deborah Ann Brinkman (1960), Laura Marie Brinkman (1962), and Tamara Louise Brinkman (1965).

Marlene was a stay-at-home mom during her daughters' early years. Eventually, she entered the workforce as a bookkeeper and records manager. She worked at Prudential Insurance as a record keeper and office manager and then at Gates Rubber Company in the medical records department. After retiring, she enjoyed opening Grandma's Daycare for her grandchildren and a few of her friends' children.

Marlene was an avid crafter. She was rarely seen without her embroidery or knitting. She once came out of retirement to work at Lakewood Crafts, where she enjoyed the employee discount a little too much! Her beautiful tea towels, knitted cloths, and cross-stitch pieces are family treasures. Marlene became the family historian through her meticulous storytelling in the stunning memory photo albums she created.

Marlene loved reading and jigsaw puzzles. She would draw everyone into the house to the puzzle table. It was a fun place to chat, laugh, and place a piece or two. She was always a bit of a sleuth. She could find any lost item, even when everyone else had tried; she would always discover it. Her favorite books were the Murder She Wrote series by Angela Lansbury. She had read all 59 books in the series. While she missed the release of the 60th book, her family imagines her finally sitting down with Angela Lansbury herself to swap sleuthing tips over a cup of morning coffee.

To know Marlene was to love her. She welcomed everyone into her home and into her heart. She loved children, dogs - especially her grand-dogs - hummingbirds, lavender, roses, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Doris Day, Barbara Streisand, Jelly Roll, and Snoop Dogg. She loved to laugh, dance, and talk about anything with anyone. She loved her Broncos, Avalanche, and Nuggets. She enjoyed her morning coffee, a good snack tray, and a bottomless bowl of popcorn. She cherished her lifelong friends and loved her family deeply. Quite simply, she was love and loved by all.

Marlene is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Brinkman (May 30, 2025), and is survived by her daughters Deborah Brinkman (Littleton, CO), Laura Brinkman and John Sweeny (Denver, CO), Tamara Brinkman and Joe Fountain, and her grandchildren Chadd Kenney (Silverthorne, CO) and Callie Kenney (Denver, CO).

Marlene's memorial service is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Monday, March 23rd, at Romero Funeral Home (15150 East Iliff Avenue, Aurora, CO 80014). It will be followed by an escorted procession to Ft. Logan National Cemetery for Military Honors, beginning at 2:00 p.m. The family will host a reception after the service at Angelo's Taverna, located at 6885 South Sante Fe Drive in Littleton.

To honor Marlene's vibrant personality, please wear florals or bright colors. Instead of flowers, kindly consider donating to the Military Women's Memorial (womensmemorial.org) in memory of Marlene Brinkman.