With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of Marleen Levins Arnold, our loving mother and friend to all whose lives she touched, on January 4, 2021.  She left us after a short battle with COVID. She was 79.

Marleen was born in Port Neches, Texas and was the only child of Henry Lee and Margret Levins.  She is survived by her devoted husband, Lester Arnold.  She was the beloved mother of Wendy Valka Hoenig (Steve) and Len Valka (Kristi), and proud grandmother of Sarah Harris, Kurt Hoenig, Seth Hoenig, Tori Valka, and Trey Valka.

She was an artist and "starter" at heart, and she lived a wonderful life full of adventures.  She was one of the first women in the area to be what we now call "serial entrepreneurs", having started and run many businesses.  These included a twirling & dance studio, two interior design companies, a candy decoration company, and a pizza restaurant. She was the Twirling Director for Angleton High School from 1968 – 1974 where she accompanied the band to the Rose Bowl Parade in 1973.

She was a floral design specialist for Randall's Corporation for many years where she created beautiful arrangements for their green rooms across Houston.  In addition, she served the communities where she lived as an EMT, a Peace Officer, a City Council woman, and a County Bailiff.  All of these were run with passion and a zest for life.

She loved flowers, chunky jewelry, her dogs, and teaching young students to tap dance and twirl.  Everyone knew her as "Miss Marleen". To her grandchildren, she was "Big Momma".

Most of all she loved her family and instilled in her children and grandchildren creativity and a strong work ethic that have served them well. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

We will schedule a celebration of Marleen's life later in 2021 when we can all gather safely again.