Marianne B. DAILEY

HAMPTON - Marianne Barker Dailey passed away Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, after a long and brave battle with pancreatic cancer.
Marianne was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. She was the only child of William Thomas and Irene Garwood Barker, two school teachers, who raised their daughter to be a woman of strong faith and steadfast loyalty, with a heart of gold. From a very young age, Marianne was outgoing, vivacious and always on the move. She participated in many activities and found a love for synchronized swimming. She never met a stranger, and with her magnetic personality, surrounded herself with many friends.
Marianne attended Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. She then received her degree in practical nursing from Hanna Mullins School of Nursing in Salem, Ohio. Before beginning her nursing career, she moved to Chicago and became a flight attendant for TWA, fulfilling her love of travel. She married G. Curtis Dailey in June, 1964, began her nursing career and moved to Columbus, Ohio. After the birth of their two children, Renee and Curtis, Marianne put that career on hold to raise her family. Their family lived in San Antonio, Texas and Birmingham, Ala., before moving back to Hampton. This is where Marianne would call home, raise her children and develop wonderful friendships over the next 40 years.
Marianne was the ultimate caretaker to family and strangers alike. After her children left for college, she returned to her love of nursing. She earned several Nurse of the Year awards at Riverside Hospital, where she worked for the next 20 years. Marianne was known for her kind heart, quick wit, compassionate nature and professional care. Marianne was a devoted Tarheel fan, as both Renee and Curtis received degrees from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She loved Carolina football and basketball, often sporting school colors, and not only on game days. Marianne instilled the Tarheel spirit in her grandchildren, teaching them that the sky is not just blue, but "Carolina Blue." Marianne loved having fun and spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed being on the water, boating and ski trips, as well as spending time with friends at the James River Country Club and The Hampton Yacht Club.
Marianne often talked about the importance of giving back. She enjoyed volunteering in the community, with Animal Rescue, at the SPCA, Planned Parenthood and helping to feed the homeless. She was very active in the First Presbyterian Church of Hampton and a member of The Junior League.
Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.
One of her most treasured roles was that of grandmother to her five grandchildren. There was not a week that went by that she did not see her grandbabies. To them, she was a buddy, teacher and sometimes even a partner in crime - is there such a thing as too many cookies? Marianne was selfless, honest and loyal. She was an amazing, yet humble woman, who will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.
She is survived by her husband, Dr. G. Curtis Dailey; her daughter,
Ms. Renee Dailey and her children, Kol and Lydia; her son, Dr. Curtis W.
Dailey, his wife, Sara, and their three children, Charlie, Caroline and
Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Hampton, 514 South Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23669; or Guiding Eyes for the Blind, P.O. Box 709, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598-0709. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.