Penelope "Penny" Marlar

Penelope "Penny" Drakos Marlar, adored Mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many stepped into eternity the morning of April 8, 2020 at 7:55 am surrounded by her loving family. Penelope "Penny" Marlar was born on February 16, 1935 to Ted and Sue Drakos in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Penny's Dad Theodore (Ted) immigrated to the US from Greece in the early 1900's where he met his wife Sue Coupland who worked at the local telephone company. Penny spent her childhood years in the family home in Florence Park where she was a student at Barnard Elementary and graduated from Central High School. In school Penny excelled in French, classical piano and journalism. She won many medals and awards in French competition and literature. She was involved in many dance and piano recitals throughout her school years. After graduating from Central High School she won a scholarship in Piano to MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois. Her brother Ted whom she adored had relocated with his new bride to New York. Penny loved to travel to visit them and did so often from Illinois. After college Penny lived for a time with her brother and sister-in-law who was more like a sister, JoAnn. During this time Penny modeled suits for a company of tailors. An interesting point is that Penny was literally the "dressmaker's model" for women's suits the brothers created. The tailors would pin the fabrics for their clothes using Penny for their model. Penny moved back to Tulsa where her parents owned and operated a small cafe on the west side of Tulsa near Sand Springs. This is where she met her one and only husband Ronald Marlar. Ronald's father also was a business owner and operated a full service Gasoline and Car Repair shop right next door to Penny's Mom's and Dad's cafe. They got acquainted over playing cards to pass the time. Ron and Penny married in January of 1959. They had two adoring daughters, Margaret Louise Dinsmore and Melissa Lee Bradshaw. Ron passed away in 1996. Penny never remarried. Penny retired from a division of the Nordam group; LORI, an aerospace repair and manufacturing company. Penny was the Executive Secretary to Mr. Rick Smith whom she admired greatly. Penny possessed excellent skills in the workplace. Her typing speed was 109 words per minute. Her glowing personality won her many friends throughout her lifetime. She was very well known for her mastery of the English language and vocabulary. Penny continued to play the piano in church and anytime she was asked to do so. She attended Catoosa Methodist church, Beams of Light Family Church and most recently Victory Church where she went faithfully every Saturday evening service as long as she could. Penny had many artistic hobbies. She painted watercolors, acrylics, ceramics and calligraphy. She had a flair for the artistic and was known for her beautiful handwriting. Penny was a devoted Mom, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. She is survived by both daughters, three grandchildren, Kathryn (Katie) Iwata, Victoria, (Torie) Dinsmore and Brodie Bradshaw. Most recently Penny became "Gigi" to Eva and Alice Iwata, her great grandchildren. She never missed any event of her family that she was able to attend. Even working full time as a secretary in the 60's, Penny volunteered as her daughter's softball team manager, coming straight from work in her heals and pearls. She adored animals, especially giraffes. On a recent birthday her family arranged to have a special one on one visit with the giraffe's at the Tulsa Zoo for Penny. She had a great time seeing the giraffes up close, petting, talking to and feeding them. At her apartment complex where she lived until last summer she was known by all as the "Penny, the lady who feeds the ducks". Penny loved the ducks and they loved her! When she would walk out of her apartment towards the little pond where they lived they would all scamper out of the water and waddle to greet her. She would count them on a daily basis and was overjoyed when a new baby duckling was born and had to call her daughters to let them know. Penny was an incredible light in this earth. She will be missed greatly by many, many family and friends.

Penelope "Penny" Marlar

February 16, 1935 - April 8, 2020