Marlene Lavonne Wilson

The earth lost an angel on March 20th when Marlene Hedrick Wilson made her transition after a brave battle with pancreatic cancer. Marlene was born Marlene Hedrick in Nevada, Missouri, the youngest of ten, spending her first six years on a dairy farm. Her father, Jim Hedrick, sold the farm and moved to Palisade, Colorado where he pursued a successful real estate career.

In high school, Marlene was a cheerleader, got straight A's and earned the nickname "Dynamite". She earned her Associate's degree from Mesa College in Grand Junction, CO, and began practicing real estate in Grand Junction. There she had two children, Blaine and Kimberly, and became an incredibly committed and loving mother.

Marlene married her husband Monty Wilson in 1983 and they moved to Sedona, AZ in 1988, where she practiced real estate and became a broker. Marlene was a very dynamic businesswoman and founded both Wilson Realty of Sedona and later Sedona Red Rock Realty.

Although successful at real estate, her true passion was helping people feel safe and comfortable. Real estate was just a vehicle for her passion for people, and through it she collected many wonderful friends. Marlene had a glorious voice and an infectious personality. When she was excited about something she was truly magical.

Marlene was a very loyal and loving wife, mother, friend, sister and grandmother and this world was blessed to have been touched by her. She is survived by her her husband Monty, children Blaine and Kimberly (granddaughters Madison and Meadow), stepdaughters Kari (grandchildren Halee, Kloee, Jack, Lily, Lola), and Kassidy (grandchildren Ellie, Luke, Sophie, Ivy).

Marlene got to witness the celebration of her own life at her benefit last August. Anyone wishing to honor her should take someone else out to lunch in her memory and pay it forward. Going out to eat with her friends and loved ones was one of her favorite things. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations may be made in her honor to pancreatic cancer research (pancan.org) or Feed My Starving Children. Her family will miss her more than words could ever say.