Obituary

Mary Marlene Burkhart died on July 21, 2025, at the age of 71. She was born July 24, 1953, to Frederick and Lenora Hill of Covington, Kentucky. She was a lifelong daughter of the Commonwealth until seeking care for Lewy Body Dementia in the Buckeye State.

Marlene died three days before her 72nd birthday and 12 days before her 50th wedding anniversary with her beloved husband, Tom.

Marlene earned her associate’s degree from the University of Cincinnati and her bachelor’s degree from Northern Kentucky University. She was fluent in French and American Sign Language. After working for many years as a dental hygienist, she became a real estate agent and broker, first with Sibcy Cline and later with Huff Realty. A lifelong learner, Marlene earned her ABR, CDPE, CIPS, CRB, CRP, CRS, REOS, SRES, and SRS real estate certifications and taught real estate agents and brokers across the United States.

Marlene loved music, especially the Beatles, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett, and Paul Simon. She also loved to travel, visiting France, Italy, Germany, Mexico, Fiji, and New Zealand.

Marlene was the most energetic and excited of the Burkharts, a constant cheerleader for her children and grandchildren. As dementia stripped her of memories and recognition of loved ones, she still ran laps around memory care staff.

Marlene is preceded in death by her parents, Frederick and Lenora Hill, and her brother, Daniel Hill. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Burkhart; her brothers, Frederick (Nancy), Keith (Lisa), Kevin (Victoria), and Patrick (Shelly) Hill; her two children, Geoffrey (Beth) and Michael (Allia) Burkhart; and her four grandchildren: Eliza, Milo, Augusta, and Valerie Burkhart.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to the Lewy Body Dementia Association: https://www.lbda.org/donate/.

A funeral mass will be held at Mother of God Roman Catholic Church in Covington, Kentucky on Friday July 25, 2025. Visitation commences at 11:00 a.m., followed by Words of Remembrance at 11:45 a.m., and a Memorial Mass at 12:05 p.m. A reception will follow at the Mother of God undercroft.