Obituary: Marlene Bondy Appley

Dr. Marlene Bondy Appley of Chapel Hill, N.C., passed away peacefully at home with her family on July 8. At 98, she lived a vibrant and active life. Born in Czechoslovakia, her family eluded Hitler and fled to America. Living in Brooklyn, she joined Hashomer Hatzair, a Zionist youth group, building friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Marlene made Aliyah to the newly created State of Israel in 1948 and helped found Kibbutz Sasa. There, she married George Appley and their first child, Abner, was born. Always a gifted student, she returned to college after the birth of two more children, Elizabeth and Noah, earning a PhD in anatomy and physiology at the University of Oklahoma Medical School. She went on to teach at SUNY Brockport, Marymount Manhattan College, Georgia State University, and the University of the Pacific, where she earned tenure. Settling in Chapel Hill, she continued teaching until age 87. Marlene inspired legions of enthusiastic students who adored her and were mesmerized by her brilliant lectures, her humor, and her charm.

Marlene had a zest for adventure, world travel, art, and music, and was a gifted storyteller with an infectious laugh and a beautiful smile. She was a lifelong swimmer, hiker, and skier. She loved her family and was a wonderful mother, wife, aunt, sister, and friend. She was proud of her children and grandchildren, was a constant support, and delighted in their successes. After a storybook romance, she married a renowned physicist, Dr. J. Ross Macdonald, when she was 91 and he was 93, and they shared many happy years together.

Marlene is survived by her husband, Ross, her son, Noah, and his partner, Naresia Pauly, who dedicated himself to helping her and Ross maintain their healthy and independent lifestyle, her daughter, Elizabeth Appley (Sandy Epstein), and grandsons, Benjamin and Joseph (Danielle). She was predeceased by her beloved son, Abner.

Graveside services were held at Greenwood Cemetery on July 12 with Rabbi Lauren Henderson of Congregation Or Hadash, with a later memorial service to be held in Chapel Hill. Donations in her memory are invited to Hadassah Hospital. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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