Marlene Roche Henselman

Marlene Roche Henselman died Jan. 13 in Medford, Ore. She was 77.

Born Marlene Ann Roche in Newark, Calif. Sept. 2, 1935, she was a first-generation American citizen. Her parents immigrated to Newark, Calif. from the Island of Terceira in the Azores before she was born. She had many stories to share of the dairy farm she grew up on with her four older brothers.

She graduated with honors from Washington Union High School in Newark, Calif. in 1954 and continued on to UC Berkeley where she was the first of her family to graduate college, receiving a degree in general curriculum in 1958.

Henselman started her career at LLNL where she was an analyst and met her future husband, Jack. She spent the majority of her professional career at Foremost-McKesson in the food development division where she was instrumental in the research and development of many different food products. After retiring at 50, she and her husband moved to Medford in 1987 to enjoy their retirement where Jack had grown up.

Henselman was a talented cook who loved to entertain at the family home. She played tennis for many years and was in a league for competitive play (USTA's Hot Tamales). She was an avid bridge player and played as much bridge as she possibly could to the delight of many friends. She enjoyed traveling to historical sites in the United States, as well as many trips with friends and family to Mexico and Europe.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Henselman; her father and mother, Aniceito Jose Roche and Emily Victoria Leal; her cousin, Mary Lotti; and her oldest brother, Newell de Roche.

She is survived by her son and daughter, Mark Henselman and Roxanne Franco; two grandchildren, Emilio and Marcos; and three brothers, Nick, Ceito and Lewie.

A reception celebrating Henselman's life is planned for Jan. 25, at the home of Jack and Marlene Henselman in Medford, Ore. Memorials may be sent in her name to Parkinson's Resources of Oregon.