Marlene and Adam’s story began at church, and their faith has served as a cornerstone of their marriage and growing family ever since. As young professionals in 2009 they both attended a young adult trivia night at their church in San Francisco. They quickly discovered that they worked for the same company – Gap, Inc. in different departments, Marlene in inventory management for Baby Gap and Adam in corporate finance. Their first date soon followed at Shalimar Restaurant; it became a special place for them for many years. Their love story blossomed from there, and they were married a few years later in the same church where they met – St. Dominic’s, a beautiful gothic cathedral in Pacific Heights.
Adam attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and double majored in business (finance) and industrial technology, plus a minor in Spanish. He spent a semester in Spain with a host family and became fluent in Spanish. He has spent most of his career in corporate finance for large companies, most recently at Grocery Outlet. Adam enjoys the benefits of living in Walnut Creek as a avid mountain bike rider accessing our beautiful trails and swimming laps at Clarke Swim Center. He’s also a BBQ enthusiast and sourdough bread maker.
Marlene attended UCLA and, after stints at Gap and Mervyns, landed her dream job in marketing for Ghirardelli Chocolate. Marlene says, “I didn’t have any formal marketing experience, but because of my sheer chocolate smarts from having a sweet tooth my whole life, I was given a chance!” She spent seven years there and loved working on new product development, especially coming up with and sampling new flavors. She adds, “As much as I loved my dream career in chocolate, something even sweeter came along that changed everything – the birth of our first daughter Holly.”
After a year of being a working mom, Marlene and Adam made the decision to move from San Mateo to Walnut Creek so Marlene could step away from her career and be a full-time mom. “It was the best decision for our family and the most rewarding work I’ve ever done.”
Another daughter followed two years later, and once both girls were in pre-school Marlene realized moms like her needed a support system and a respite once in a while. She started Mornings Out Childcare, a once a week, licensed childcare program to give moms a break and provide a nurturing space for toddlers to learn through play.
During the years Marlene ran her Mornings Out Childcare program, the Bartletts saw firsthand the profound impact caregiving could have on families. “Even before this, we were personally touched by the importance of quality care during a different stage of life—when each of our grandmothers needed
support to remain at home as they aged,” adds Marlene. “Witnessing how the right kind of care could preserve dignity, foster independence, and maintain meaningful connections for our loved ones was deeply
inspiring. These experiences planted the seed for a broader vision: to create a caregiving service that helps families by providing compassionate, personalized support for their loved ones, allowing them to thrive in the comfort of their own homes.”
This vision has now become Uplift Home Care, their new family-owned business focused on providing premium home care services. Home care offers essential support for individuals—primarily seniors—who
wish to remain in the comfort of their own homes while receiving help with daily activities, personal care, or companionship. It’s not just for older adults, though. Home care can also support individuals
recovering from illness or injury, or those with disabilities who need assistance to maintain their independence. By tailoring care plans to each person’s unique needs and preferences, home care allows families to feel confident knowing their loved ones are safe, comfortable, and well cared for.
The Bartlett family grew again one year ago when baby Noelle was born. She adores her big sisters and going on stroller walks with mom. “Her big sisters are the sweetest helpers,” adds Marlene. “They make her giggle and read to her. Watching the bond they share and the love they pour into their baby sister has been one of the greatest joys of this season in our lives.” Holly is now in 3rd grade and loves history, Latin, the color pink and soccer. Mia is in 1st grade and loves science, cats, and the color green. Both of the older girls swim for the Ygnacio Woods Swim Team and attend North Creek Academy, where their family also attends church.
“Family is deeply important to us,” says Marlene. “Our desire is to cultivate a home life that is firmly grounded in faith, honors God, and anchors our relationships in love and compassion.” Family dinners are part of this. They have a tradition called “High, Low, Buffalo” at dinnertime. Each family member shares their high of the day, their low, and a “buffalo,” which is something surprising that happened. “The girls absolutely love this time of conversation,” shares Marlene.
They are also happy to live close to one of Marlene’s brothers and his family who are in Concord. Each summer Marlene’s parents take all their kids and grandkids on a vacation, most often to Santa Cruz, for family bonding time. Marlene and her three brothers have produced eight granddaughters so far!
The Bartletts have four chickens who provide the best fresh eggs. And living close to the open space on Mockingbird Hill also means a bevy of wildlife entertains the girls as well, from an occasional deer, to quail, squirrels, ducks and turkeys. The Bartletts put a focus on nature, books, and imaginative play, with very little screen time other than an occasional family movie night.
Marlene prides herself, also, on her “cabinet of sweet treats” that is full of premium chocolate, from her favorites from her working days to new trends in the chocolate world. To their neighbors they say, “Thank you for collectively keeping this community beautiful.”
By Kara Navolio, Resident since 1991; Photos provided by the Bartlett Family