Marlene Gourley

April 7, 1950 - February 24, 2021

Marlene Ann Fisher Gourley of Mount Holly passed away on February 24, 2021 at Virtua Memorial Hospital. She was 70. Born in Vineland, NJ, the daughter of the late Samuel and Edna S. Fisher, Marlene grew up with a love of learning, which led her to a long career in education. She was quite a linguist, fluent in Spanish and conversational Italian, French, and Portuguese. This fondness and talent for languages brought her to her first job in education, upon her graduation from Glassboro State College in 1972, as a Spanish teacher at Oakcrest High School in Mays Landing, New Jersey. She continued her educational journey earning a Master’s Degree in Education and Language Arts from Trenton State College. She then advanced to a 30-year career with the New Jersey State Department of Education, overseeing bilingual education and the creation of state assessments, until she retired in 2002. Marlene had a flair for fashion and design. Taking a break from education to explore retail, she co-owned and ran a dress shop, “Bellissimo”. She also enjoyed spending time creating decorative wreaths and bargello needle point. Having compassion for animals in need, she rescued several dogs with her husband, Ted, embracing them as an important part of the family. Marlene is survived by her husband Dr. Theodore J. Gourley, Jr.; three children, Katrina Gourley of Pasadena, California, Theodore J. Gourley, III of Mount Holly and Jonathan S. Gourley of Mount Holly; her granddaughter; Isabelle Gourley. Marlene is also survived by three sisters, Sandra Ferrara and Deborah Fisher of Vineland, N.J. and Lorraine Geary of Richmond, California, and many nieces, nephews, two goddaughters, and her loyal dog, Chauncey. Marlene was ecology-minded. Therefore, she wished to be cremated and have her final resting place under the roots of a tree, always mindful of her environmental impact on our planet. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Contributions in her memory may be made to Smile Train (https://www.smiletrain.org/) and Wounded Warriors (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/). Arrangements by the Perinchief Chapels, Mount Holly.