Marlene Carole Bibbens

Born on October 6, 1942 to Elmer and Lillian Asbell, Marlene was raised in the Marin County community of Ross, where she graduated from Redwood High School. On May 2, 1960, outside the front gate of San Quentin Prison, Marlene met Larry Bibbens at a protest of the execution of Caryl Chessman (their chance encounter resulting as much or more from an opportunity to skip school as from an expression of social activism). Marlene and Larry became the loves of each other’s lives and were married on July 18, 1964.

After brief stops in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Redding, Marlene and Larry settled in Visalia in 1972, the city and community that would become their true home. An early adopter of computer technology and always organized, Marlene established a successful bookkeeping business and was fastidious about organizing her office, calendar, and keeping track of birthdays for friends and family.

Apart from her work, Marlene was an original “Soccer Mom,” well before the value of that role came to be recognized. With a generous heart, Marlene also shared her time and treasure, supporting such causes as the Kaweah Health Foundation, the Boys and Girls Club of the Sequoias, the Golden State YMCA, and Self-Help Enterprises.

Marlene is preceded in her death by her father, Elmer Asbell, and her mother, Lillian Asbell. Marlene is survived by her husband, Larry Bibbens, her son, Matthew Bibbens, her grandchildren, Jackson and Caroline Bibbens, her brother, William Asbell, her sister, Karen Thompson, and a broader, loving group of close friends and family.

The family is particularly grateful for the caring and dedicated support provided by Quail Park Memory Care and Bristol Hospice during Marlene’s illness and final transition.

The family is planning a memorial and celebration of life event for Marlene that will take place in Visalia.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Marlene’s honor to one of the many organizations noted above. The links are listed below on this memorial website.

May light eternal receive our dear Marlene.