Marlene Hoerle

Marlene (Zahnke) Hoerle, left this earthly world on Tuesday, December 12, 2023 at the age of 89. A remarkable woman of incredible spirit, courage and stamina, she faced each of life's obstacles with an admirable strength and grace.

Remembering Marlene…In her own words:

Marlene was born in Bristol Connecticut on September 25, 1934, daughter of the late Gertrude Johnson Zahnke and G. Theodore Zahnke. She was a graduate of Dana Hall School, Wellesley, MA. and Wellesley College Class of 1956.

She was married and divorced from Frederick Oliver Hoerle who died in 1991. Her beloved family survives: her daughter Elizabeth Fangiullo and granddaughter Allison Fangiullo of Plainville, daughter Virginia Hoerle of Bloomfield, and son, William Hoerle and grandchildren Olivia Hoerle and Ethan Hoerle of East Granby.

Marlene's life was spent in the nonprofit world trying to increase health services for Central Connecticut. She was a founder and leader of the Wheeler Clinic in Plainville and was the second woman inducted onto the Board of Directors of New Britain General Hospital. She was a longtime active leader of the Congregational Church in Plainville.

In her 40's she went to graduate school. She received a master of counseling from St. Joseph College and a Master of Divinity from Yale University. She then worked as a psychotherapist at Women's Workshop in Bloomfield Connecticut.

In 1998 her brain was struck by the herpes simplex encephalitis virus. She was in a coma for seven weeks and two doctors said that she would be a vegetable. She reclaimed her life thanks to her Power of Attorney, Dr. Michele Toomey, her family and herself, later writing a book about her journey,

"Riches To Rags to Riches" (available on Amazon Marlene's Book) the story of a financially rich accomplished woman who became a financially poor, brain-damaged, independent woman.

She cared deeply about truth, fairness, helping others and being kind.

Gifts in her memory may be sent to the Wheeler Clinic, 91 Northwest Dr. Plainville, CT 06062, www.wheelerclinic.org or to a local senior center.

Family and friends may gather in celebration of Marlene's extraordinary life on Saturday, December 16, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Plainville Funeral Home, 81 Broad St, Plainville. Prayers and Words or Remembrance will be shared at 1:00 p.m, led by Reverend Dr. Jay Terbush. Committal will follow at West Cemetery, Plainville. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit www.PlainvilleFuneralHome.com.