Marlene Braun

Marlene Braun, 88, died October 7, 2023. A native of Rockwell, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Clarence Alfred Bost and Anne Ridenhour Bost. Molded by her small-town environment, Marlene was the personification of southern grace, hospitality, and charm. Her musical talent flourished at an early age on the piano and grew into a life-long passion. At Mary Washington College, then a part of the University of Virginia, Marlene added organ to her repertoire and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 1957. Marlene taught music in the Norfolk Public Schools before relocating with her new husband.

In 1954, Marlene agreed to a blind date arranged by her college roommate with a midshipman from the Naval Academy. That blind date turned into a 65-year journey of love with Carl Braun, who preceded her in death by four months. As a Navy wife, Marlene embraced the traveling life, so different than her upbringing, as she followed Carl to seven different duty stations during his career. At each location, Marlene established a well-ordered, gracious home and embraced each community as a member of a local Methodist church and choir and often a Navy wives or civic organization. When Marlene and Carl arrived at their last duty station in Portsmouth, they fell in love with this area and changed their long-held plans to return to Rockwell, remaining permanently in Chesapeake.

Marlene found many ways to combine her love of music with community service. She was a member of the Portsmouth Music Study Club where she held a number of local and state offices and was recently surprised with the Nancy Hoback Milne Citation for Distinguished Service. She served for many years as the membership secretary for the Portsmouth Community Concert Association, a national organization that brings live music to smaller communities. She sang with or accompanied a number of groups and individuals through the years. Her greatest love, however, was her church family and the chancel choir at Monumental United Methodist church. Marlene was a dependable and steady presence in the many adventures of the music ministry at Monumental for over 50 years.

A loving and devoted Mother, Marlene set the standard for homemaking and family life. The traditions and comfortable ordinariness of life she established in our family leave us wonderful memories to cherish and a touchstone of excellence to continue.

She is survived by her daughter, Carla Anne Bell and husband Jett; two sons, Richard Thomas Braun and Michael Louis Braun; sister, Jacqueline Bost Taylor of Rockwell; three grandchildren, Jett Bell, John Bell and wife Jacqueline, and Lindsey Bell; and two great-grandchildren, Bryson and Devon Bell.

The family wishes to thank Chesapeake Regional Medical Center and the ICU team for their tireless care of Mrs. Marlene during her final week.

Arrangements: A graveside service will be held on Friday, Oct. 13, at 3 PM Meadowbrook Memorial Gardens. Sturtevant Funeral Home, Bennetts Creek Chapel, North Suffolk is handling arrangements. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 1 PM at Monumental UMC. Friends are welcome to join the family for an open house at the Braun residence in Chesapeake following the memorial service.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Monumental UMC, 450 Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth, VA.

Salisbury Post, 12 Oct 2023