Marlene Jean Davino

Marlene Jean Davino, 79, of St. Joseph, died Friday, November 30, 2012, at Lakeland Regional Hospital in St. Joseph. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph; officiated by Rev. James Morris; with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road; with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Memorials may be made to Animal Aid or the Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan. Friends wishing to leave a condolence may do so at the guest book at www.starks-menchinger.com. Marlene was born in Benton Harbor on March 22, 1933 to Roy & Frances (Potter) Barmore. She married Alfonso “Al” Davino on June 28, 1952 at St. John’s Catholic Church rectory. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Western Michigan University and her Master of Arts in Education from Michigan State University. Marlene taught 4th grade from 1964 to 1995, primarily in Lakeshore at Stewart and Hollywood Schools. She was a member of American Association of University Women, Krasl Art Center and Delta Kappa Gamma. She is survived by her husband Alfonso “Al” Davino of St. Joseph; a daughter Debra (Don) Patzer of Mishawaka, IN.; a son Michael Davino of t. Joseph; two granddaughters Kristen and Lindsay; two great grandchildren Johnny and Lila; special caregiver Tammy Leister-Merfeld and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She will be dearly missed by her cats Callie, Abbey and Oreo. She was preceded in death by her parents, her two sisters Shirley and Norma; and her brother Martin, who died in WWII in the Battle of Guadacanal. Marlene’s mission was to be the very best teacher she could be. She loved her students and looked forward to each day in the classroom. She also loved to travel, and her travels included several trips to Europe and many destinations all over the US.