Marlys Schwartz

Marlys (Marley) Faye Schwartz born May 14, 1955, to Dick and Fern Werkmen in Hendricks. Passed away in Kansas while visiting family on Sunday Nov. 22, after a five-year long battle with cancer. Marley attended Tyler High School. In the 1980s she worked at Schwans in Marshall until she moved to Newport News, VA. She was married to Joseph Schwartz on May 21, 1988. In the early 1990s Marley started working with MPRI and worked her way from legal assistant, to office manager and so much more. Marley’s former supervisor said that they “accomplished things together that no one thought was possible.” Her co-workers and higher ups describe her as a force to be reconned with because she could accomplish anything she set her mind to. Despite having been diagnosed with colon cancer, over the last five years Marley started her own business as a Lula Roe consultant, traveled the world taking at least three cruises to various Caribbean Islands and Cuba, and visiting family throughout the U.S. Marley even planned to cruise to Aruba and Jamaica in March of this year just before COVID-19 hit. She said if cancer cannot get me, neither can COVID-19.

Marley is survived by her husband Joseph Schwartz. Her children Pat (Rachel) Popowski; Stacy Meier; Tim (Jennie)  Popowski; Carrie (Taveius) Crew; and Rebbecca Goodall. Her grand-children Alicia (Keith) Widmer; Courtney (Ram) Shrestha; Tristan Popowski; Stephanie Popowski; Brianna Edmundson; Micheal and Evan Popowski; and Adrianna, Mason, and Justice Goodall. Her great-grandson Anders Kack. Her siblings Dan (Glenda) Werkmen; Sandy(Butch) Hyatt; Beverly Reynolds; Donna Meyer. Many nieces and nephews.

 Marley is preceded in death by her parents Dick and Fern Werkmen; son-in-law David Meier; Infant brother Thomas; and brothers Harvey and Dale Werkmen.

A visitation will be held for Marley on Saturday, between 2-4 p.m. EST. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider making donations in Marley’s name to the American Cancer Society or other cancer fighting organization. 

Weymouth Funeral Home, 12746 Nettles Dr, Newport News, VA 23606