Obituary
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Marlene Loretta (Singer) Henley passed away on Monday November 7, 2022 at home, surrounded by her loving family.
Marlene was born on January 1, 1939, during a blinding snowstorm at her home in Halifax, Nova Scotia to Milton and Joyce (nee Puplett) Singer.
From a large family, Marlene had two older siblings, Madeline and Milton (‘Sonny’), two younger, David and Royce, and two half-siblings, Russell and Jean. Marlene’s father died suddenly one sad night in May 1952 when Marlene was only 12 years old. Life was never the same. Her teen years were difficult, but she came through them the strong and resilient woman we all so admired.
Marlene had beautiful, powerful singing voice, having trained since she was a young girl. She was a proud member of the Armdale Chorus, sang with big bands, and regularly on the radio. Later she would only sing to her children, but they loved it and knew their mother, with her amazing vocals, could have been famous.
Marlene wanted to study at university, but finances would not allow for that, so she attended secretarial school, and acquired skills that she relied on her whole life. Always impressive, one of her first jobs was as an Executive Secretary for the Mayor of Halifax County.
Marlene met David Henley through mutual friends in 1957 and he couldn’t believe the smart, beautiful, elegant young woman he had found. They married on August 1, 1959, at All Saints Cathedral in Halifax, a happy day that Marlene recounts was nearly ruined by the traffic of Queen Elizabeth’s royal visit on the same day. David and Marlene lived in Halifax with their 3 fabulous daughters Susan, Stephanie and Pamela. Eventually, like many Maritimers, they moved to Toronto for more opportunities, where they lived until 1976 when they threw caution to the wind and bought the weekly newspaper, the Woodstock Bugle. They started life over in the small, welcoming town of Woodstock, New Brunswick.
Under David and Marlene’s direction, The Bugle would go on to win awards and accolades for decades. They also owned and ran other weekly newspapers throughout New Brunswick, Maine and Florida. Marlene’s main role was sales and she excelled. She was honest, creative and persistent, always on the top of her game and driving revenues for all the newspapers. In 1997 Marlene was honored with the Carleton County Businesswoman of the Year award. She was also involved with the Chamber of Commerce and she was the Chair of the Literacy Coalition, where she loved helping young adults with reading skills which could transform their lives. She was very proud of the efforts made by those who so wanted to read. She touched many lives.
After selling their businesses and finally retiring, Marlene and David travelled and spent time with their 8 grandchildren, Jordan, Courtney, Emily, Spencer, Tristan, Zane, Matthew and Seth. Marlene would have been a great grandmother to Courtney’s (and husband Colin) beautiful baby girl, in just a few weeks.
David and Marlene traveled with their friends and family members across North America and Europe. As she grew weaker and was unable to travel, Marlene lamented that she missed her friends, and she welcomed their visits and phone calls.
Marlene loved to talk about history and argue politics, whether it be Canadian, American, or international. She was widely read and staunchly conservative. Fox News has lost a loyal viewer.
Marlene was afflicted with a neurodegenerative disease, Multiple Systems Atrophy (MSA) 8 years ago. Over the years, as the disease slowly took over, she continued to be her stoic, resilient self. She did what she could, she didn’t complain and mostly, she wanted to show her grandchildren how to face adversity, stiffen your resolve and be tough no matter what. She did just that, she never gave up.
Marlene often told her daughters, “Remember, you come from good stock” and she embodied that. She left high heels for them to fill, but she considered her work a success.
David was by her side the entire way. Caring for her and doing his best to keep her comfortable and at home. Their favorite song to play was ‘For You’ and anything by Frank Sinatra. With her family by her side, this horrible disease finally won but her spirit was the same until the end.
We will miss her so. A beautiful, smart, dignified woman with a wide, room filling smile. A patient, loving mother and wife, a no-nonsense businesswoman, a loyal friend, a brutally honest observer, and a volunteer for literacy. There are no words to express our loss and there is no one who can begin to hold a candle to her.
Marlene is survived by her husband David, daughters Susan (Cameron), Stephanie (Troy), Pamela (Stephen), her grandchildren, siblings Madeline and David, nephew Carl (Penny) and other beloved nephews and nieces, cousins and many friends and admirers.
Her family wants to send a kind thank you to Extra-Mural (especially Maria), Lynn, and to Bayshore Home Health especially Velvet, Margaret, Louise and Jackie.
Please donate generously to research at the MSA Coalition www.multiplesystematrophy.org, the Michael J. Fox Foundation www.michaeljfox.org, or charity of your choice.
Please extend a warm visit to a sick friend and love your family.
Raise a glass of Veuve and celebrate an amazing woman.
Please join us for a celebration of life to be held at Connell House in Woodstock on Thursday, November 10th from 4:30pm-6:30pm.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Marlene Loretta Henley January 1 1939

November 7 2022..

carleton funeral home

Death notice for the town of: Jacksonville, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick

death notice Marlene Loretta Henley January 1 1939

November 7 2022

mortuary notice Marlene Loretta Henley January 1 1939

November 7 2022