Marlene J. C. DuPont, 86, died on Thursday, Jan. 31. She lived around the country, including in Malibu; Haleiwa, Hawaii; and The Villages, Fla.
She is survived by her son, Glen; her daughter-in-law, Aileen; and her grandson, Charles, of Dallas, Texas.
Marlene was an incredible mother, Nana, friend, patriot and adventurer, her family shared.
She was born in New York and raised in Florida. (She lived at Mar-o-Lago with her close friend, Marjorie Post, who owned it at the time.) She also lived in Malibu; Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii; and Tahiti. Marlene then returned to her true love … Florida in 2012.
Marlene graduated from the University of Miami. She swam for the university and later, the Women’s Swimming Association of New York, Town Club of Chicago Swim Team, U.S. National Swim Team and U.S. Pan American Swim Team. She qualified for the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland.
She started scuba diving in the 1950s by helping the U.S. Navy test experimental rebreathers, her family shared. She dove throughout the Pacific—her favorite dives occured at the shipwrecks in Truk Lagoon (Micronesia). Marlene was still a member of the The Villages Scuba Club until the day of her passing.
She started teaching in the 1950s and taught in New York, California and Hawaii. She taught biology and specifically, special education students. Her career spanned six decades until she retired.
She held numerous national and world records in various events and is enshrined in the International Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
Marlene was an avid member of The Police Fan Club and traveled the world to attend their concerts. On their 2007 reunion tour, she attended most of their concerts around the world, spanning 18 months.
A family member shared: “She loved motorcycles and still owned classic cars and motorcycles until the day she passed. In other words: My mother was a tough old bird and didn’t care if you didn’t approve. She marched to the beat of her own drummer. She was a free spirit and the greatest friend and mother anyone could ever ask for. We will love her and miss her, until the time we meet again.”
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to The American Legion or the ASPCA in her name. A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Malibu Church on Saturday, March 2.