Marlene Ann Biehler "Winky"

Marlene Ann “Winky” Biehler passed away peacefully at the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center at the age of 83 (10/29/42–6/6/26). She was predeceased by her parents, Florence and John Hoehn, and her brother, Frederich “Fritz” Hoehn. She is survived by her sisters, Katherine “Kitty” Keller and Christine J. Werth; her children, Karl (Kim) Biehler, Lisa (Daryl) Kozak, Laura Biehler, and David (Shelli) Biehler; her grandchildren, Kristie, Kyle, Sarah, Jacob, Mackenzie, Jackson, and Alex; and her great-grandchildren, dear friends, and beloved granddogs. Marlene grew up in Churchville, NY, in a white farmhouse. She loved farm life- feeding animals, being outdoors, and being fiercely independent. Her home remained close to her heart, and she spent many of her later years there as well, where she truly made it her own with a beautiful side yard full of birdfeeders, flowers, and wind chimes. She worked as a cake decorator before later retiring from Kodak, where she drove a forklift. No matter where life took her, she never lost her love of animals. She enjoyed taking her grandchildren to the zoo and feeding the ducks at Seneca Park. She never met an animal she wouldn’t help. From stray cats and injured wildlife to the many pets she lovingly cared for while house-sitting, animals always seemed to trust her. She proudly and lovingly watched over countless dogs, cats, and even a bearded dragon. Marlene was a collector of many things: Beanie Babies, McDonald’s toys, sports memorabilia, greeting cards, and anything she thought might be useful someday. Throwing things away simply wasn’t her style. She also collected stories, recipes, and memories, documenting nearly every moment of her life with handwritten journals and thousands and thousands of pictures. She followed sports with unmatched loyalty and enthusiasm. Whether it was the Rochester Red Wings, Rochester Americans, the New York Yankees, the San Francisco 49ers, or the UConn Huskies, there was always a game she needed to watch and an opinion she needed to share. She attended many games throughout her life, and proudly attended the induction of her favorite quarterback, Joe Montana, into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. She found joy in tending her garden, feeding the birds, picking wild berries, decorating for every holiday imaginable, playing Scrabble, and hunting for a good bargain. She enjoyed listening to Elvis and country music, and she faithfully watched the Food Network, picking up cooking tips from Emeril Lagasse, Rachael Ray, Giada De Laurentiis, and Bobby Flay. She cooked for us often, her meals always a source of comfort; we will always remember her pork and spaetzle, cabbage rolls, and her German potato salad that nobody can quite replicate. She truly cherished life’s simple pleasures: Chinese takeout, fudge, Milano cookies, pretzels, corn dogs, pine cones, lilacs, pussy willows, Hallmark movies, and making Jell-O Jigglers. She was quirky, generous, stubborn, funny, and completely herself. She was wonderfully blunt, endlessly eccentric, and always had a crush on somebody- whether it was the man working at Walgreens or one of her beloved nurses. She didn’t care to budget, but was endlessly generous with gifts, cards, snacks, photos, and love. She gave freely to the people around her and made life far more interesting for everyone lucky enough to know her. Most of all, she was an unforgettable woman- a beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, and sister, and the center of countless cherished family memories. Although she has left us earthside, Marlene will remain with us always- in sunny blue skies filled with fluffy white clouds, birds chirping in the morning, deer running through fields, and fireflies glowing on warm summer nights. She will be remembered whenever we hear a train pass by, whenever Jeopardy! comes on, and whenever we settle in to watch a good baseball game, no matter which team is playing. And somewhere, we imagine, she is still taking pictures, feeding animals, saving things “just in case,” and keeping an eye on the score. All are welcome to join in celebrating Marlene’s life at a funeral Mass to be held at St. Christopher’s Roman Catholic Church, 3350 Union St. N. in North Chili, New York, on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Rescued Treasures Pet Adoptions or the Hildebrandt Hospice Care Center.

Marlene Ann Biehler "Winky"

October 29, 1942 - June 6, 2026