ALBANY - In addition to being the world's best mother, grandmother and wife, Marlene Straus was an assistant curator at the Albany Institute of History & Art and the New York State Museum. After graduating from Brooklyn College as the top student in French Language and Lit., she gave up the opportunity to study in Paris to follow her husband, Harvey, to D.C., where she became the executive assistant to the president of an insurance company. After returning to N.Y. and purchasing a farm, she became a self-taught antiques expert and an avid collector of quilts and Currier and Ives prints. She turned this knowledge into a whole new career, but her first priority was always her family. When her daughter became a single parent, Marlene traveled once a month, without fail, to Chicago, 16 hours each way on the train, to help out. When Harvey became sick, she left her museum job and cared for him at home until shortly before he passed away. After his passing, she moved to the Ohav Shalom senior community, where she was elected president of the tenants' association for over ten years. She traveled with her family to India, Nepal, Israel, Spain and France, and all over the U.S. She even trekked through the Chitwan Jungle on an elephant. Her favorite spot, though, was at the head of the table at the farm, as host, making sure everyone had a good time. She leaves behind her daughter, Karen Straus; her granddaughter, Sora Straus Tannenbaum; her grandson, Sammy Straus; and her granddaughter-in-law, Sarah Straus. She will be missed.