Marlene Louise Halligan

Born in 1931 to Lena (Fabrizio) and Dominic (Ted) DeTata (formerly DiTata) in San Francisco, California, Marlene was the younger sister of Douglas Detata. A California native, she lived her entire life in San Mateo County. She was raised in Burlingame, attended Burlingame High School, and graduated from San Jose State University.

While in college, Marlene met Tom Halligan at Forest Lake Resort in Lake County. Soon after, and at the age of 22, they were married and settled in Daly City. Fast forward 6 years, Tom and Marlene had a young family of four kids and needed more room! They moved to the Mills Estates in Millbrae where Marlene lived the remainder of her life. Throughout the 70’s and 80’s, Marlene worked at Mills High School in the English Department. Marlene loved to travel and enjoyed Hawaii, Mexico, the Panama Canal, Turkey, and many European countries along with summer vacations and weekends at the family cabin on Cobb Mountain. Marlene loved visiting San Francisco and attending the theater, Davies Symphony Hall, and the DeYoung Museum along with great Italian food in North Beach. Marlene was an avid golfer and had three holes in one in her lifetime. Marlene was married to Tom Halligan for 66 years, who predeceased

Marlene in April 2020, and is survived by three sons and a daughter (Tom (Debi), Dennis (Rochelle), Joanne O’Meara (Bob), and Will (Katy)) and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. The family would like to extend our sincerest gratitude and thanks to everyone who supported Marlene in her battle with Alzheimers disease.

The family is having a private cemetery service at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma to intern both Tom and Marlene in November. A celebration of life for both Tom and Marlene will be scheduled at a later time. Please contact Marlene and Tom’s daughter Joanne at jmomeara@ yahoo.com for updates on the celebration of life. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Anthony’s in San Francisco, Mission Hospice and Home Care (www.MissionHospice.org) and the Alzheimer’s Association.