Obituary
Leslie Howe Marley, a beloved mother, wife, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2024, at the Chapel Hill Medical Center in North Carolina. She was born on January 22, 1957, in Salisbury, North Carolina. Her family soon moved to Danville, VA, where she spent most her formative years.
She was the daughter of Una and George Howe of Danville, VA. Leslie was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Thomas L. Howe.
On October 12, 1985, Leslie married the love of her life, Ricky L. Marley, in Danville, Virginia. Together, they raised two wonderful children. Leslie’s devotion to her family was evident in everything she did. She is survived by her husband, her son Michael Marley, and her daughter Sarah Marley. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Barbara Howe, and her loving sister, Donna Howe Fagan and husband, Robert.
Leslie pursued her education with passion, earning a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Virginia Tech and later a Master’s in the same field from Kansas State University. Her professional life began at Western Electric/AT&T, where she worked from 1979 until the joyous birth of her first child, Michael.
Beyond her professional achievements, Leslie was a creative soul with a flair for crafts. She was an talented seamstress and quilter, known for making beautiful household items that included pillows, comforters, seat cushions, curtains, and delightful costumes. She found joy in every project she undertook and was happiest when planning or involved in a project.
Leslie was also passionate about dance. She was a member of the Piedmont Swing Dance Society (PSDS) for many years. She also loved ballroom dancing and loved to waltz, foxtrot, cha-cha, and, her favorite, night club two step. She especially enjoyed dressing in vintage clothing for swing dance events and creating costumes for the PSDS Halloween dances.
Leslie also loved to read. As a child, when offered the opportunity to do anything she wanted on a birthday, she wanted to stay in her room to read a book. Leslie enjoyed puzzles, riddles, card games and, especially, family game nights. Her favorite game was backgammon which she almost always won.
In her honor, Leslie’s family requests that any donations be made to the World Wildlife Fund or the Nature Conservancy, reflecting her love for the natural world and her desire to protect it.
Leslie’s life was filled with with creativity, love, and laughter, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of all who knew her. Her absence will be profoundly felt, but her spirit will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know and love her. A private funeral service will be held to celebrate her life, honoring her memory with the love and respect she so richly deserves.
