"[3] Herbison thought O'Sullivan's departure had something to do with the return of Madge (Anne Charleston) and Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), who previously lived in Marlene's house.

[4] In April 2005, Kris Green of Digital Spy confirmed O'Sullivan would be reprising her role of Marlene to join the many ex-cast members returning for the Neighbours 20th anniversary special episode.

[5] Shortly before she was introduced on-screen, Marlene purchases Number 24 and sends her grandson, Sam Kratz (Richard Grieve) to inspect the house, while hoping he will meet his cousins who are living in Ramsay Street.

[6] Josephine Monroe, author of Neighbours: The First 10 Years, said Cheryl had "demonized her mother in her mind" and wanted nothing to do with her,[6] while Victoria Ross of Inside Soap observed that there had never been any love lost between them.

However, when Cheryl learns Marlene has enrolled her infant daughter Louise Carpenter (Tessa Taylor) in a local school, Ross said that "all hell breaks loose!

"[1] She also believed Marlene meant well when she got involved in other people's lives, telling Ross: "She's an enormously caring woman and in times of trouble she's the best person to turn to.

[1] O'Sullivan commented that Marlene's departure would be a "big blow" for fans of the character on and off-screen, adding "She's a good grandmother and I do love the way kids respond to her.

[7] Dave Lanning of The People was critical of the storyline, saying the Neighbours plotliners must have been on magic mushrooms when they decided to pair Marlene with the "terminally boring" Colin.

Marlene settles into the area and befriends fellow pensioner Helen Daniels (Anne Haddy) and later runs her own bric-a-brac shop and plays surrogate mother to teenage runaway Bianca Zanotti (Anna Gagliardi).

Marlene takes a job working for Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) and finds herself competing with Sarah Beaumont (Nicola Charles) for the title of Receptionist of the Year.

"[10] A columnist for Inside Soap branded Marlene "the grooviest granny in Erinsborough, who throws herself into any worthy cause, and opens her house to every passing waif and stray.

[11] To celebrate Neighbours' 25th anniversary, British satellite broadcasting company Sky, included Marlene in their list of twenty-five characters who were the most memorable in the serial's history.

[12] A writer for Sky said "Considering Marlene was originally introduced in the rather serious business of being estranged for several decades from daughter Cheryl, she made a name for herself with comic storylines, largely revolving around getting into trouble with grandchildren Sam, Brett and Dannii.

"[12] Alex Fletcher from Digital Spy made Marlene their "DS Icon" on 7 January 2011, calling her a legendary and special character.