Marian V Badgley

Marian Badgley passed away on September 27, of natural causes, during hurricane Helene that hit North Carolina. 

Born in Brighton, Colorado on February 3, 1933, to Dana and Winifred Wells. She attended school in Brighton, graduating from Brighton High School.

After graduation she went to work for frontier airline in Denver, CO for nine years. She then moved to Miami, FL to be the Executive Secretary for the Chairman of the Board of National Airlines, Mr. Maytag and also served as Assistant Secretary of National Airlines. Marian was one of two women officers in the airline industry in the United States at the time. She was listed in Who’s Who of American Business Women for five consecutive years. 

She married Bud Badgley of Miami, Fl in 1963. Together they enjoyed watching sports, going to Miami Dolphin football games and owning a racehorse. 

Upon retirement, she and Bud moved to Maggie Valley, NC where they owned and operated The Browse in Shoppe, selling sportwear clothing for the entire family.

Marian and her husband fell in love with boxers and over the years she rescued four different dogs. She loved going for daily walks with them.

After the loss of her husband, affected by Alzheimer’s, Marian spent the next ten years helping others cope with the stress, Alzheimer’s brought on families. She worked with Haywood County residents with Alzheimer’s or Dementia, leading support groups and took part in the Haywood County’s Project Life Saver.

Marian had many friends that she made over the years that she kept in contact with, not only in the local area, but from her hometown as well. She had friends from national airlines that she stayed in contact with, even though they were scattered in different states. Family, extended family and friends will miss her dearly.

Marian was a member of Sunrise Presbyterian Church in Miami, Fl and attended Shady Grove United Methodist Church in Waynesville, NC.

Her parents, husband and an infant son preceded her in death.

Marian is survived by her boxer, Holly; Sister-in-Law, Natasha Persi (Robert) of Cooper City, FL; Niece, Monique Cicereli of Cooper City, FL; Godson, Wade Smith (Roc Ann) of Brighton, CO; Mary Perry (Phil) of Parker, CO; Gregory Smith (Pam) of Brighton, CO; and Kathy Smith (Scott – Deceased) Formally of Cheyenne, WY.

Services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Carolina Disaster Relief of your choice or Shady Grove United Methodist Church, 3570 Jonathan Creek Road, Waynesville, NC 28785.

The care of Mrs. Badgley has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville