Marlene Valentine Daugherty

Marlene was born August 23, 1935, in Philadelphia, PA to the late Marland T. and Mary Bowman Valentine. She attended Friends Select School in Philadelphia, where she was captain of the girls’ basketball team, and most outstanding female athlete in her senior year. Marlene attended Chatham College in Pittsburgh, PA, earning a B.S. in Biology and worked in cancer research after graduation. In 1958, she married Dick Daugherty, at Sembach Air Base in Germany, where he was stationed. She had known Dick since they were in kindergarten. Marlene and her husband moved, with their 3 children, to Raleigh in 1973. Dick and Marlene were married for 65 years.

Marlene spent most of her time as a homemaker and raising their 3 children. She also volunteered in the community including at Grace Lutheran Church, in the public schools, at the Rex Classic, as member of the Rex Hospital Guild, but mostly at Rex Hospital for 32 years, with over 9,227 volunteer hours. Marlene was an avid golfer at North Ridge Country Club and a member of two bridge clubs.

Marlene’s focus was her family and she cherished her role as mother, grandmother and wife. She looked forward to baking chocolate chip cookies, making crafts and playing games with her grandchildren. She enjoyed yearly vacations with the entire family at the NJ, NC and SC beaches and hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. Marlene was always gracious, friendly, outgoing, supportive with a can-do personality.

In addition to her husband, Marlene is survived by her son, Scott (wife Lisa); six grandchildren, Caitlin (husband Dylan), Ryan, Spencer, Sam, Andrew, and Megan; son-in-law, Jim; and daughter-in-law Debbie.

Marlene was preceded in death by her daughter, Jill, her son, Eric, and sister Joanna Wisber.

The family thanks Benita Gardner for her 10 years of caregiving to Marlene.

A celebration of life was held at North Ridge Country Club on Tuesday, August 13, from 5:30 - 8:30pm. A private family funeral service was held at Oakwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Marlene would welcome donations to the Rex Hospital, or the NC Symphony, by using the links below, under ‘Donations’.

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