Marlene Eleanor (Delphey) Payne, age 82, passed away on October 25, 2022. She was born on August 6, 1940, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Edward A. and Mildred (Hogan) Delphey. She grew up in her beloved hometown of Harpers Ferry, Iowa. Marlene later lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Binghamton, New York, and spent her final years in Fort Myers, Florida.
Marlene graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Cedar Rapids before obtaining her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Iowa and her master of science in nursing from Syracuse University. Marlene became a nursing educator almost as soon as she graduated from Mercy, teaching at her alma mater while she continued her education. She dedicated her career to excellence in nursing education and taught in New York at Broome Community College and then spent over 20 years at the Decker School of Nursing at Binghamton University where she retired from her role as the Undergraduate Nursing Program Coordinator. She spent countless hours preparing and delivering courses to her students and created an accelerated bachelor in nursing program. She focused on gerontology and was a member of the Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing.
Marlene married Harold C. Payne in 1966 and earned her pilot’s license to join him in his passion for flying. They famously flew themselves to the Bahamas in a small plane for their honeymoon. Marlene and Harold, along with their two children, flew from New York to the midwest every summer to visit their families in Iowa and Illinois. She continued to enjoy travel in her retirement, visiting all 50 states and 47 countries with her husband of 55 years. She loved spending time with friends and visiting family at their home in Fort Myers.
Marlene is survived by her children, Tracy Payne Squyres (Jeff), Mark Payne (Valentina Bosco); grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Kathryn Squyres; sister, Dolores Schmitt; brother-in-law, Steven Payne (Etta); and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold; her parents; her brothers-in-law, James “Ned” Schmitt, Elvin “Biz” Payne and his wife Marlene Elizabeth Payne.
Interment of ashes will be in St. Joseph’s Paint Rock Cemetery, Harpers Ferry, Iowa.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.leememorialparkfuneralhome.com for the Payne family.
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