Marlene Kimball

Marlene Mirkin Kimball
1932-2024

Marlene (Mirkin) Kimball, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 91, surrounded by her loving family on August 26, 2024.

Marlene was predeceased by her cherished husband of 54 years, Jerome (Jerry) Kimball. He was the love of her life and their marriage was a true partnership, built on love, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to raising their four children, and loving their grand-children and great-grandchildren.

Born in Springfield to Rose (Marshall) and Joe Mirkin, Marlene graduated from Classical High School, and attended University of Florida. She returned to Springfield to help work in her mother’s clothing business, Modern Women. In 1954 she and Jerry were married, after his return from serving as a Sergeant in the Korean War. Marlene treasured building a beautiful life for her family with Jerry, as he operated his family business, Kimball Furniture, and subsequently Allied Carpet & Distributors, serving the Springfield community for over 35 years.

Marlene embodied kindness and joy. She had a unique ability to find beauty in life's simplest pleasures. Her passions were many, but none greater than her love for her family and many close friends. She greatly enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading, theater, music, and art. Marlene was also an accomplished golfer and volunteered her time as a docent at the Springfield Museum.

Marlene was a natural optimist, always looking to the bright side of things. She believed that if you love life, life will love you back, and she lived this philosophy every day, always seeking out the good and the beautiful. She had an uncanny ability to find four-leaf clovers.

Marlene is survived by her children, James and Martha Kimball of Nashville, TN; Susan and Richard Halpern of Longmeadow; Wendy Kimball of Longmeadow; and William Kimball of Nashville, TN; as well as her sister, Roscha Brenner of Miami, FL; and her grandchildren, Jessica Halpern of Boston; Lauren and Kyle Smith of Longmeadow; Sophia and June Kimball of Nashville, TN; and her great-grandchildren, Hannah and Matthew Smith, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to acknowledge the loving care provided to Marlene by her daughter, Wendy, who served as her primary caregiver, as well as the dedicated caregivers from Integra Health Care and Legacy Lifecare VNA & Hospice, who provided support and comfort to her in her final days.

In the words of Emily Dickinson, "Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality." Marlene's legacy of love will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her. She taught us to cherish life, to see beauty in the everyday, and to nurture the bonds of family and friendship as the most precious gifts of all.

A funeral will be held on Friday, August 30th at 1:00 at Temple Beth El, with burial to follow in Temple Beth El Cemetery, 360 Kings Highway, West Springfield, MA. A meal of consolation for family and friends will be served at Temple Beth El after the burial. Shiva will be held Sunday, September 1st at 7:00 pm at Marlene’s home, 277 Tanglewood Drive, Longmeadow, MA. The Asher-Zimmerman Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to support JGS Lifecare, 770 Converse Street, Longmeadow, MA 01106 at www.JGSLifecare.org or a charity of your choice.