Marlene L. Gilley, 84, formerly of Macungie, died Dec. 1, 2020. She was the wife of the late Joseph F. Gilley III, who died in 2016. They were married 55 years. Born in Toronto, Canada, she was a daughter of the late Gustave and Alma (Engel) Kerath.

From early days of family singing around the piano, her children and grandchildren were deeply influenced by her love of music, especially jazz. From music performance major, to theater major, echoing down to grandchildren who perform, write music and majored in theater, the love of arts was deeply imprinted on her family.

That influence moved beyond the home into the community, beginning with a little start-up community music festival called Musikfest, where she initially volunteered and quickly became the second employee hired by the festival. Volunteer positions with the 250th anniversary of Bethlehem and the Rose Garden Children’s Festival continued her love of service to the community. At the urging of her family, she launched a singing career at the age of 65, launching the Marlene Gilley Swingtet.

She is survived by sons, Jeffrey (Gayla), of Macungie, Jonathan (Laurann), of Glenview, Ill. and Joel, of Allentown and Molly, of Hellertown; a daughter, Jennifer Fleschner (Bill), of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; a sister, Trudy Salven, of Valencia, Calif.; grandchildren, Lance and Harley Fleschner and Meghan, Christina, Jasper, Jaden, Micah and Liam.

Memorial donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America.

Due to pandemic restrictions a Celebration of Life service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements were made by the Pearson Funeral Home, Inc., Bethlehem.