Richard A. Landy, D.D.S., President
Richard A. Landy, D.D.S. is the President of the Marlene F. Landy Cancer Foundation and was
married to Marlene Landy. Richard was born in Denver, Colorado and attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, as well as the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Dentistry. While attending dental school, he met and married Marlene Dee Friedman in 1964. After serving as a Captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps in Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, Richard opened a private dental practice in Denver, Colorado. It was there that he and Marlene raised their three children, Brian, Ellen and Matthew. In the Spring of 2000, Marlene was diagnosed with breast cancer; and in September, 2000, Richard retired from his dental practice in order to spend time with her. He was by Marlene’s side in her fight against cancer until she passed away on August 22, 2004.
Richard currently resides in Greenwood Village, Colorado where he pursues his role as President of this foundation and other business interests, and enjoys spending time with his three children , six grandchildren and one great grandson. His main focus is to nurture the success of the Marlene F. Landy Cancer Foundation in an effort to help as many people as possible whose lives are affected by cancer.
Harry Friedman
The youngest of Marlene’s siblings, Harry Friedman learned quickly that being spoiled by a loving, caring, indulgent older sister was a very special privilege. Harry’s ongoing support of the Marlene Friedman Landy Cancer Foundation reflects his commitment to honor Marlene’s memory by helping others who are fighting the battle against cancer. After attending the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Harry lived and worked in Kansas City for several years before moving to Los Angeles in 1971 to pursue a career in television. Within a year he was writing for the original “Hollywood Squares” TV series, eventually rising through the ranks to become one of the show’s producers. In 1995, Harry was hired by Sony Pictures Television and served as Executive Producer of the two highest-rated TV shows in syndication, “Wheel Of Fortune “and “Jeopardy!” until his retirement in 2020. His work as a writer and producer earned him 19 Emmy Awards, the TV Academy’s Lifetime Achievement award, a Peabody Award and, in 2019, a Star on The Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
Harry and his wife Judy had been married for almost 52 years when she passed away in 2025 following a 7-year battle with cancer. Harry and Judy raised two accomplished daughters,
Amy Shelby and Leslie Boyce. Amy is married to Dax Shelby. They have two children, a daughter Ayla and a son, Zander. Ayla’s middle name is Marin, chosen to honor Marlene’s blessed memory. Leslie is married to Devin Boyce and they live in Denver with their daughter Emerson.
Ellen Rae Landy, M.A.
Ellen Rae Landy, M.A. is Marlene’s middle child and only daughter.
Ellen was born in Huntsville, Alabama and raised in Denver, Colorado, where she graduated from the Denver Public Schools that helped shape her love of learning andcommunity. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy with a minor in English from Colorado State University, followed by a Master of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Denver. She later completed postgraduate training in professional counseling at Regis University and earned a Paralegal Certificate from Arapahoe
Community College.
Denver remains home for Ellen, who lives there with her husband, Peter Hemley, and two of her children, Marlon (Marlene’s namesake) and Dyson, along with their three sprightly dogs. Her oldest child, Athena, also lives nearby with Ellen’s cherished grandchild, Axolotl Olowan.
Ellen is a smallbusiness owner and an academic coach who works closely with college students with special needs. Her work is rooted in patience, advocacy, and a belief that every student deserves someone in their corner. As a devoted parent and grandmother, she brings a deep understanding of what families need when facing difficult moments. The Marlene F. Landy Cancer Foundation holds a profoundly personal place in Ellen’s heart. She dedicates her time to the foundation in honor of her mother, whose strength and spirit continue to guide her. Ellen is grateful for the opportunity to support families navigating cancer, and she brings compassion, lived experience, and unwavering
commitment to the foundation’s mission.
Nicole "Nikki" Vitkus
Nicole “Nikki” Vitkus was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, but spent her formative
years in Knoxville, Iowa. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree and Certificate of Dental Hygiene before relocating to Denver, Colorado.
After retiring from Dental Hygiene, Nikki became the Administrative Manager for The Center For Relationship Education, a non-profit that teaches youth the skills needed to have healthy relationships. Currently, she enjoys the position of “Nana” to her 3 grandchildren. When not working she enjoys biking, bridge, reading, travel and sharing adventures with her family.
Nikki has been married to Wayne Vitkus for 50 years. They have two children, Ryan and Alison, who live in the Denver area with their families.
Peggy Marks
Peggy is a retired Exercise Therapist who enjoys helping people enhance their lives as they age through exercise . She is happily married to David for 58 years. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
Born and raised in Denver, CO, she attended University of Oklahoma and University of CO . The Marks family have lived in Los Angeles, CA, London England, Ridgefield Ct., and currently Denver CO, and Carlsbad CA where they spend the winter months.
Peggy attended school to become an Occupational Therapist Assistant and was a Board Member for the Star Institute and Sensory Processing Disorder organization in Greenwood Village, CO . Helping people of all ages with physical and emotional disabilities is her passion.
In 2004, Peggy’s Mother, Selma Gordon, then 87 yrs. old, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and survived to be 2 weeks away from her 100th birthday. In 2005, Peggy was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, and in 2006, her daughter Debra Nichols was also diagnosed with Breast Cancer. All 3 are survivors of the disease due to early diagnosis and good treatment. Her desire is to help others in any way she can who are facing obstacles and need support through their disease process.
About Us
About the Foundation
The Marlene F. Landy Cancer foundation was established in memory of Marlene Landy – a beautiful, educated, 62 year old mother and grandmother who lived in Denver, Colorado and was originally stricken by breast cancer at age 58. Marlene passed away after her breast cancer metastasized to her other vital organs in 2004, but her legacy lives on in her family and in the Foundation.
Since the Landy family founded the Marlene F. Landy Cancer foundation in 2008, many other concerned individuals have rallied around the concept of helping those battling cancer and are serving as Board Members or support volunteer workers. The mission of the Foundation is to help not only those struggling with cancer, but also their families – through both financial assistance and health education.
Our Work
The members and volunteers of the Marlene F. Landy Cancer Foundation are a hard-working group, united in the purpose of helping individuals and families who need assistance in their fight against cancer. We are proud of the accomplishments achieved thus far, but can always do more with your help. Donations are gratefully accepted, and we also encourage anyone to join the team and help spread the word about the mission we have set out to attain.
For those who may qualify to receive a gift from the Foundation, please contact us via email, phone or mail. Each situation is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. As the Foundation grows, so too will the ability to expand our financial assistance program.
Financial Information
We are extremely careful with the money that you have entrusted to the Foundation through your donations. It is our goal that your monetary contributions directly reach families in need. To date, this goal has been achieved through funding provided by the Board Members and Marlene’s family, covering all administration and overhead costs. In the future, additional volunteers and discretionary spending will ensure that this concept continues.
The Marlene F. Landy Cancer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. This designation is given by the U.S. Treasury department after full evaluation of the structure and intent of the entity. The Marlene F. Landy Cancer Foundation was approved as such in October of 2008. All contributions made to the organization are tax deductible.
To make a donation to the Foundation, visit our donations page.