Charlene C. Marschal

Charlene was born July 27th, 1945 in Three Rivers, Texas. Her family later moved to Gainesville, Florida where she attended P. K. Yonge High School and met the love of her life George Marschal. They married in Folkston, Georgia on March 12, 1963, lending one another strength in the hard times and were famous for the practical jokes played throughout their lives together. She was a proud military wife, stepping in and up as her airman went off to Vietnam… he thankfully returned and they traveled the country, building a beautiful life together throughout their 61 years of marriage. She and George danced their way across Texas and in true form, she went on to teach her children to dance with abandon and joy.

Family. Strength. Togetherness.

Charlene lived a full and rewarding life as a military spouse traveling from coast to coast and beyond to the island of Oahu. She bridged the gaps as assignments took George away from home and became whatever was needed for her family. That adventurous spirit carried on throughout her life, in fishing the shores of an ocean, canoeing the Illinois River in Oklahoma or picking blackberries from the back of the family station wagon to avoid the thorns, she led all of us forward through life with her attitude of “let’s go!” Her competitive nature saw fierceness at the racetrack as she pulled up in the car she and George built, calmly and methodically beating friend and foe, including George at times.

She continued her education when there were moments to and worked wherever assignments took her. Sometimes that was on the military bases or even at the State Treasury during their time in Texas. She created beautiful gardens wherever life took her, planting Elephant Ears in Hawaii, growing okra in Texas and surrounding their home with knockout roses in Georgia. 

Charlene was Mother to 4 of the most intelligent, caring and good looking (she would say) children. None of whom ever had to be scolded or disciplined, as a simple stern look would stop them in their tracks before even the thought of mischief could fully form. She taught her children to ride dirt bikes on the sand dunes of the California desert and wrapped many a cut and scraped knee when they fell as she said get up, go try again! Whether you were thriving or struggling, the mother in her always knew and checked in to celebrate, commiserate or give the uplifting kick needed to carry on.

Her children became further testament to her life’s work as Wife, Mother and Teacher and she taught them to experience the world with curious eyes and open minds. That strength of character and grit gave them their own foundation to become the best version of self they could be, passing on a special brand of love to future generations as her children began presenting her with grandchildren to love. She gamely cheered them on in sports as they grew up, avidly listening to their stories as they went on adventures of their own. She sometimes joined in with them too, gliding across the Florida everglades on an air boat or looking on as they fished the Little River in Georgia. Encouraging them as they went to college, joined the military, went to trade schools or became legal professionals. Those grandchildren in turn, presented her with great grandchildren to adore in recent years and she always asked for pictures and updates.

Charlene loved and was loved deeply in return. She will never be forgotten and will live in our hearts forever. 

May she rest in peace.

Charlene is survived by her beloved husband George (Larry) Marschal, her children KC Marschal, Jennie L (Marschal) Palmer and Son-In-Law, Tim E. Palmer, Nicole A (Marschal) Carbetta and Son-in-Law, Carlo M Carbetta, and the Golden Child George L. Marschal and Renee Henderson, Grandchildren; Austen R Palmer, Sloane VL (Palmer) Barth, Colton L Marschal and Chase L Marschal, as well as Great Grandchildren; Kennedy R Palmer, Casey Bradford, Thatcher M Barth and Miller L Barth

She is also survived by her brother Rocky Flanagan, and sisters Judith (Flanagan) Browning, Edith Flanagan and Mary Diane Flanagan.

Arrangements by Harden/Pauli Funeral Home, Eustis, Florida