Marlyn Ann Brokenshire, 78, of Yorba Linda, California, entered the presence of her Savior on Wednesday evening, June 24, 2026, in her home and surrounded by the family she loved so dearly.

To know Marlyn was to know what it looked like to love generously. She lived a life poured out for others-welcoming, encouraging, praying, serving, and faithfully pointing people to Jesus. Whether you met her as family, friend, neighbor, or stranger, you left feeling like family.

Her greatest joy was bringing people together, reminding them they were deeply loved, and helping them know the love of Christ. The words she chose for her own grave marker, “Saved to Serve,” beautifully summarize the life she faithfully lived.

Marlyn was born on April 3, 1948, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Dillard (“Dick”) and Angelina Marie (“Mary”) Marino Jones. She graduated from Santa Ana High School before marrying the love of her life, Mark Brokenshire, on July 17, 1971. Together they built a home that became a place of refuge, laughter, prayer, and belonging for nearly fifty-five years.

Above every accomplishment, Marlyn treasured her calling as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was the heart of the Brokenshire family-the one who remembered every birthday, celebrated every milestone, prayed through every hardship, and somehow made everyone feel like they belonged and had a place at her table. She loved fiercely, listened patiently, offered wise counsel freely, and gave the kind of steadfast love that shaped generations.

Her faith in Jesus Christ shaped everything she did. A faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Norwalk and Canyon Hills Friends Church in Yorba Linda, Marlyn devoted decades to serving others through Bible studies, Stephen’s Ministry, MOPS mentoring, coordinating church water-ski trips, MOMS of Military, and as a faithful prayer warrior for countless people in need.

Marlyn embraced her truth as a daughter of the King. Out of the overflow of her great love for others, she traveled on multiple mission trips to India, helping women discover their identity, dignity, and immeasurable worth as beloved daughters of the King. Whether speaking to a lifelong believer or someone she’d just met, Marlyn never missed an opportunity to share the hope she had found in Christ.

She found joy in reading Scripture, spending time in prayer, tending her garden, raising monarch butterflies, feeding hummingbirds, traveling with family and friends, and enthusiastically cheering on her beloved Philadelphia Eagles. Marlyn and Mark traveled extensively throughout the United States—including Hawaii and Alaska—as well as to Canada, Mexico, Africa, Tahiti, and Europe.

Marlyn was bestowed a Good Samaritan award, from the City of Yorba Linda, for emergency triage to the survivors of the fatal train crash in Placentia in 2002. She was also a faithful blood donor and received the American Red Cross Ten-Gallon Pin in recognition of her many decades of giving.

Perhaps her greatest gift was what so many came to know as her “hug ministry.” She had a remarkable way of making every person she encountered feel seen, heard, and deeply loved.

Marlyn is survived by her devoted husband of nearly fifty-five years, Mark Brokenshire of Yorba Linda; her daughter, Kathy (Steve) Hendrickson of Costa Mesa; daughter Patricia Brokenshire of Stevenson Ranch; son Len (Beth) Brokenshire of Lakeville, Minnesota; and son John Brokenshire of Santa Ana. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Daniel Hendrickson, Rachel (Wade) Phair, Cole Hendrickson, Matthew Brokenshire, Grace Brokenshire, Gunnar Schneeberger, and Ben Brokenshire; her precious great-granddaughter, Rosemary Phair; her brother Richard (Gail) Jones, sister Judy (Dante) McDuffee, brother Bob Jones, sister Della (John) Medeiros; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who became family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dick and Mary Jones, and her parents-in-law, Len and Mae Brokenshire.

A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Canyon Hills Friends Church, 20400 Fairmont Connector, Yorba Linda, California.

Marlyn will be laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at 12:15 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to honor Marlyn do so by loving someone well, serving others, opening their hearts and homes, or sharing the hope of Jesus Christ with someone who needs encouragement- continuing the work she dedicated her life to.

Though her family grieves deeply, they rejoice in the assurance that Marlyn’s faith has become sight. The Savior she faithfully served throughout her life has now welcomed her home with the words she longed to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”