Marsha Hirschler

Marsha Hirschler, 80, of Virginia Beach, passed away at her home surrounded by family, on October 7, 2025. She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Thornton, Sr., mother, Ruth Thornton, and brother, Jack Thornton, II.
Born in West Virginia, Marsha grew up in the Willoughby section of Norfolk, where her childhood was filled with carefree days on the beach. She discovered dance early on, and whether on stage or in an audience, a love for the art form followed her the rest of her life. In eighth grade, she met Cheryl Walker (now Brumfield), who became her lifelong, faithful friend. The two performed in dance recitals together and could recall their routines decades later. Over the years, they played tennis and bridge, and supported each other through all of life's joys and sorrows. Together with mutual friends they would eventually refer to themselves as "Beach Belles" and enjoy weekly meetups as part of their wider circle of "Shrimp Night" friends.
Marsha was a member of the class of 1963 and a cheerleader at Granby High School, where she initially took note of Lewis Hirschler, Jr., now known as "Luke," though their introduction and romance would come later. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree from Old Dominion College and marry Ron McLemore. Though the marriage would end, their friendship endured, enriching the lives of their children and grandchildren beyond measure, and fostering a meaningful bond between Marsha and Ron's wife, Karen. Marsha wholeheartedly felt children could only benefit from having more family to love them, so she delighted in sharing the role of "American grandmother" with Karen.
While teaching and starting a family, Marsha returned to Old Dominion to earn her master's degree, which launched her fulfilling guidance counseling career. During her time at Jacox Elementary, she met Roberta "Birdie" Bose, who became both steadfast, trusted confidante and shopping partner extraordinaire for decades to come. They both knew they could trust the other to provide an honest opinion whether chatting over coffee, considering new furniture, or trying on clothes.
In 32 years of service to Virginia schools, primarily with Norfolk Public Schools, Marsha touched countless lives. Her longest and final role was a guidance counselor at Maury High School, where she was beloved by staff and students alike. She took great joy in helping students navigate high school and select their most fitting educational or vocational path into adulthood. She devoted special care to writing college recommendation letters for those she had come to know well, and eagerly anticipated the decisions, for she was truly invested in each student's success and happiness.
In 1998, she married Luke, reconnecting with the young man she had first noticed at Granby and dated during their college years. Together they relished the pleasures of beach living, travel, spirited Scrabble games, gathering with friends, and grandparenting.
Retirement brought Marsha the gift of time to play as much tennis as she wanted at the Virginia Beach Tennis and Country Club, where she formed lasting friendships in a group known as the YaYas. This fun-loving bunch proved to be irreplaceable, and affectionately nicknamed her "Marshmallow".
When faced with a breast cancer diagnosis in late 2009, she made a promise: if she survived, she would volunteer to support others still fighting. True to her word, she enlisted Karen's help to provide and serve lunches to patients and staff during chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
Marsha will be deeply missed and remembered for her love, warmth, humor, generosity, loyalty, and radiant smile.
She is survived by her husband, Lewis "Luke" Hirschler, Jr.; son, Scott McLemore and his wife, Sunna Gunnlaugsdóttir; daughter, Austyn McLemore; granddaughters, Elsa and Isabella McLemore; co-grandparents, Ron and Karen McLemore; niece, Jill Parker and her husband, HB; nephews, William Chase Thornton and Jack Thornton, III and his wife, Lynn; sister-in-law, Barbara Jeanne "BJ" Holland; sister-in-law, June Saks and her husband, Charles "Bo"; brother-in-law, David Hirschler and his wife, Carol; a large extended family, and many dear friends.
A memorial service will be held at H.D. Oliver, Norfolk Chapel at 2:00pm on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Donations may be made in Marsha's memory to Lewy Body Dementia Association at https://www.lbda.org/donate/.