Wilda "Marlene" Knoll

Wilda “Marlene” Knoll was born November 27, 1952, in Chicago, IL.  She married James A. Knoll (deceased) in 1970 and was a mother to one daughter, Natalie Knoll (Schere).  Marlene relocated to SWFL in 1984 and gained her angel wings on Sunday, April 24, 2022, with her loved ones by her side.

  Marlene was the proud grandmother to Maxximillian Schere, son of her only child Natalie Schere with her son-in-law, David Schere.  She was lucky to have found her second love of her life after her husband passed away in 2016. Gary Centafanti was her beloved partner that she was able to fulfill some of her lifelong dreams with through travel, concerts and everlasting love.

  Marlene is survived by her daughter, Natalie (David) Schere and their son, Maxx Schere of North Carolina; her sister, Denise (Bob) Cruz and their son and her godson, Matthew Cruz of Indiana; her sister-in-law, Patricia McKee and her two sons, George McKee and Timothy McKee of Wisconsin; her brother-in-law, Raymond (Joan) Knoll of Florida, her nephew Raymond L. Knoll of Illinois along with many other friends that were adopted along the way as family.

  Marlene was looking forward to seeing her grandson, Maxx, take hold of his dreams one day.  We know that she will always be a star looking over him whether he keeps his feet on this earth or travels in space and helps his generation explore outside of our expectations.

  Marlene was always determined to “do better” from her challenges she faced when she was young, working downtown Chicago as a young adult, relocating to a new home 1500 miles south with a small child in 1984, working hard and continuing to push herself in education and proven herself as an accomplished professional in her line of work.  Her personality and smile along with her determination and morals were some of the characteristics of her soul that drew people in for lifelong friendships.

  There will be a Celebration of Life for Marlene on Saturday, June 11, 2022, at the Bay Forest clubhouse in Naples, FL from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm for those who would like to share memories and support one another.