Harriet Markley

HARRIET MARKLEY STAUNTON, VA Harriet Markley, a well-known and greatly loved longtime registered nurse at the former King's Daughters' Hospital, died Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at King's Daughters' Community Health and Rehab Center in Staunton. She was 96, and had resided in Staunton for the past 72 years. Harriet was born December 27, 1918, in Sharon, Massachusetts, the second of three children to Ralph and Edna Mabie. She was never given a middle name, a source of great humor with family and friends who volunteered many suggestions through the years. She earned her degree from Truesdale Hospital School of Nursing, Fall River, Massachusetts, in 1940. That building is now on the National Register of Historic Places. After being turned down by the wartime Army Nurse Corps because of her height (5 foot 2, she forever insisted), Harriet began her nursing career in Fall River. But she soon began making plans to move to Miami to pursue life in a more "tropical" climate where nurses were in considerable demand. That changed when a friend introduced her to a handsome, New Jersey-based soldier from Staunton, Randolph A. "Moot" Markley. They were married in early 1943, Moot got orders for England and Harriet moved to Staunton to live with his family at their home on North Coalter Street. Five years and three sons later, Harriet began what was to be a 43-year career at King's Daughter's, first at its original location on East Frederick Street and later at a new, larger facility on North Augusta Street. Over the years, Harriet rose to charge nurse, heading up, at various times, the pediatric and psychiatric wings and the emergency room. There wasn't a doctor, fellow nurse, other employee or patient of hers at King's Daughters' who didn't speak of her in unfailingly glowing terms for her professionalism and her friendly and caring demeanor. She was proud of her white uniform and starched, black-striped hat, and much preferred the care giving side of her profession to the administrative side. Harriet served the community through King's Daughters' from January 1, 1948, until her retirement January 1, 1991. She was a Staunton treasurer. Harriet put the same energy with her husband into raising their three active sons, who became fixtures in the youth baseball leagues at Gypsy Hill Park. Harriet is survived by two sons, Larry of Anchorage, Alaska and Joe of Richmond; three daughters-in-law, Carmen of Anchorage, Sue of Staunton and Dea of Richmond; seven grandchildren scattered about North America, and four great grandchildren. Her husband preceded her in death in 1982. Her son, Dick, of Staunton, preceded her in death in 2014. Her brothers, Richard and Larry, also preceded her in death. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church, and in later years attended Springhill Presbyterian Church with family members. A graveside service will be held at Augusta Memorial Park, Fishersville, at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015, with the Reverend Charles A. McFarlin of Springhill Presbyterian Church officiating. Henry Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.