Sept. 14, 1935-March 17, 2026
Marne Edith DeVaughn, 90, died Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at Roanoke Memorial Hospital following complications from a fall. Her family was with her in her final hours.
Marne leaves her son, Thomas DeVaughn and Hayde Suárez (Roanoke); her daughters, Martha Bonham and husband Rocky (Floyd); Melissa DeVaughn Hall and husband Andy (Eagle River, Alaska); and Mary May and husband Tiger (Fishersville); and brother and sister-in-law, Birge (Ric) D. Reichard, Jr., and Gail Reichard (Cape Charles, Va.) She also leaves behind grandchildren Zachary Bonham and wife Katie Kirsis (Homer, Alaska); Sarah May and husband Jonathan Vigren (Kalmar, Sweden); Roan Hall (Grand Junction, Colo.); Reilly Hall Wilson and husband Jeremiah Wilson (Denver, Colo.); and Charlie May II (Woodstock, Va.). Marne also had a constant companion, her tuxedo cat named Hazel, who kept her company for the past five years. Hazel brought Marne endless joy and comfort.
Her family said: “Mom never said a bad word about anyone – she simply did not have it in her heart. She accepted all. She was kind, thoughtful, happy and loving.”
Born and raised outside of West Baltimore, the daughter of Birge D. Reichard and Edith V. (Coe) Reichard, Marne graduated in 1954 from Western High School, one of two all-girls public schools in Baltimore. She was an outstanding student, earning high marks in all her classes, and always eager to learn. During that time, she took a part-time job as assistant librarian at Enoch Pratt Public Library in Baltimore. She was saving money for college because she was interested in becoming a teacher, but she knew her father did not support that decision. He wanted her to follow a more traditional career path for women during that era, such as a hairdresser or secretary. Upon high school graduation, and with the money she had saved, Marne enrolled at State Teachers College in Towson, Md., now Towson University. She would become the first female in the family to attend and graduate college.
It was during that time that Marne met George, after her cousin Bill made the introductions. George had not been particularly interested in attending college at Towson, but after meeting Marne, he decided that one way to be around her more often was by entering the same program she was taking. His plan worked, and on Jan. 31, 1959, during their semester break, George and Marne were married in a small ceremony, followed by dinner at a nice restaurant. They moved into the upstairs apartment of a local widow, before having to resume classes the next week.
Upon graduation, Marne took her first teaching position, and she and George bought their first newly constructed home in a neighborhood in Reisterstown. Md. It was there that they started their family, and where all four children spent their early years.
In the early 1970s, George suggested moving to Virginia. Drawn by the Blue Ridge Mountains and countless trips on the Blue Ridge Parkway over the years, he convinced Marne to make the move. She was hesitant at first to be away from family, but the beauty of the area convinced her. In 1973, after looking at homes from Buchanan to Blue Ridge, they settled on a house at the end of a cul-de-sac in Rainbow Forest, which had a view of the mountains.
At first Marne stayed at home to rear the children, at the time ranging from ages 3 to 9. But as they grew, she decided to return to teaching after being recruited by the principal at her children’s school. She taught at Colonial Elementary School for 24 years, starting with second grade, and later shifting to fourth grade. She always said these were her favorite years because children are so curious at these ages.
During this time, Marne continued to pursue her own education, earning a Master of Education degree in 1981 from Virginia Tech. She would spend long hours driving to and from her classes there during the summer, and still somehow have dinner on the table in the evening. She was a patient and kind person, giving of herself continually, and without complaint. She had a strong support system in the other teachers with whom she worked, and her peers were also her friends. Marne stayed active in the Botetourt Retired Educators until her death.
“A teacher affects eternity; she can never tell where her influence stops.” – Henry Adams
Marne enjoyed gardening, reading, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and sightseeing on short day trips or overnights. She liked to be the passenger on drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway or stop by local country stores to peruse the blooming flowers and fresh vegetables. On sunny days, she liked to sit on her back sundeck or the gazebo out front, wherever would best allow her to enjoy the sunshine and the birds. Mom cherished her family and was generous with her love. She always had a smile on her face, and kindness in her heart.
Marne was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, George DeVaughn; granddaughter, Samantha May; sister, Hazel (Pecky) Goertemiller; and her parents, Birge D. and Edith V. Reichard.
A private family gravesite ceremony will be held June 13, 2026. A celebration of life will be held June 14, 2026. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Botetourt Retired Educators, 1049 Martins Lane, Fincastle, 24090 or Friends of the Blue Ridge Library, 28 Avery Row, Roanoke, 24012.
