Marlene Epstein Dobbs

Marlene Epstein Dobbs was born in Birmingham, Alabama on December 29th, 1947. During her early days of college at LSU, she met the love of her life, Michael Dobbs. They were married shortly after and spent nearly 57 wonderful years together in Savannah. Marlene was an incredible wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She had a real gift of developing, nurturing, and maintaining deep relationships with family and friends.

While she worked as a realtor and community volunteer for more than 40 years, her priority was to support and take care of the people she loved. She was incredibly devoted to her husband, Michael and their children Neil and Emilie. As many well know, Michael was the main character in her story, and she was his leading lady. Together, they loved to travel, dance, share meals and spend time with family and friends. Her love and devotion to him and their family was one for the ages. She was always by their sides in everything they did, offering support, advice, and abundant love. Later in life, her six grandchildren were among her greatest joys. Just as she had with Neil and Emilie, Marlene spent precious time with each of them, immersed herself in the details of their lives and cheered them on in every way she possibly could.

In addition to her time with and attention to the people she loved, food was Marlene’s love language. She always had a full kitchen and was ready to feed anyone at any time! She knew her grandchildren’s favorites and always had those items ready when they came to town. Taking care of and doing for others was Marlene’s real gift and she always did it with a smile. She greeted people with enthusiasm, rarely complained even in tough times, put others’ needs before hers and truly gave so much of herself to so many.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported the Dobbs family, especially Marlene’s caregivers, Evon, Pearl, Dora, and Glenda. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice Savannah or to earlier.org, an organization that funds research grants in search of an earlier detection test for breast cancer.

Marlene was preceded in death by her loving husband, Michael Dobbs, her sister, Sandy Seton and her parents, Gladys and Alex Epstein. She is survived by her children, Neil Dobbs (Jill Henke), Emilie Dobbs Samet, (Arthur) and her six grandchildren, Isabela, Blake, and Asher Dobbs and Abby, Jack, and Owen Samet. She is also survived by her sister, Janice Verner and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service celebrating Marlene’s life will be held on Friday, August 29 at 12:00 pm at Temple Mickve Israel with a reception to follow.