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In memory of

Marlene Toward

Arlington, VA

September 21, 1950 - September 1, 2025

Sep 21, 1950 - Sep 1, 2025

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Marlene Toward, the second of five children of Clare Joseph Toward and Ellen Toward, passed away after a life of dedication and service.

She began her distinguished career with the federal government in 1968, working at the Pentagon for the Department of Defense. Over the course of 38 years, she faithfully served naval officers and high-level civilian officials until her retirement in 2006. She was in the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, when terrorists attacked and destroyed her office. Even after this life-changing event, she returned to continue her work with the same commitment and professionalism.

A member of her fraternal organization, she served as an Official State Officer and proudly represented Virginia as Grand Representative to Arkansas in 1990.

After retiring, she moved to Port Orange, Florida, near Daytona Beach, where she lived until 2017. That year, after the passing of her longtime friend and companion, Willie Vaughn, she returned to Virginia.

She was known for her reliability and dedication from a young age, receiving a perfect attendance award for every school year from first through sixth grade.

She is survived by her two siblings and six grandnieces and grandnephews, who carry forward the family’s memories and history.

Her life was marked by commitment to her work and consistency in all that she did.

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