Marlene W Smith

She was born on March 5, 1939, in Altoona, Pennsylvania, the beloved daughter of Loretta and Lawrence Wiley. Marlene graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1961.

In 1960, Marlene married the love of her life, Donald Smith. While Donald was serving in the military, they moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she taught Business Education in a local High School and where they welcomed their son, Larry.

In 1963, they moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where they completed their family with the birth of their daughter, Susan.

In 1967, weary of wet, cold winters, and wanting to be closer to her sister and partner-in-crime, brother-in-law and nephews, Greta, Richard, Mark and Todd Betar, Marlene and Don relocated to Merritt Island, Florida, where they raised their family enjoying the beach, boating, tennis, hosting great parties, and all of the other year-round fun Florida offers. But Marlene’s biggest passion and joy was always rescuing and rehabilitating stray, injured and abandoned animals.

Marlene was a vibrant member of her community and a dedicated Business Education teacher at Merritt Island High School from 1975 – 1991. She loved her fellow teachers, administrators, and especially her former students, all of whom she fondly remembered and enjoyed bumping into locally throughout her retirement years. Go Mustangs!

Marlene had a deep and everlasting love for her husband and utter love and devotion for her children and grandchildren. They were the pride and joy of her life. She loved to laugh and always smiled at everyone she met. She loved animals, her community, her job, her family, her friends and her neighbors.

She is survived by her loving husband, Donald Smith; her son, Larry Smith and his wife, Dawn Smith, of Melbourne, Florida; her daughter Susan (Susie) Smith-Farley and her husband, Ray Casillas, of Cape Canaveral, Florida; her grandchildren, Lauren Farley-Jiang (Max Jiang), Lindsey Farley, Griffin Smith and Marlee Smith, and several nieces and nephews.

A remembrance service will be held at the Wylie-Baxley Funeral Home on February 5, 2022. The Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. and the service will begin at 2:00 p.m. A gathering at the family home will follow.

Donations in Marlene’s memory can be made to the Central Brevard Humane Society or any animal rescue organization.