Laura Audrey Marschka

March 15, 2024

We celebrate the life of Laura Audrey Madeira Marschka who quietly departed this world on Friday, March 15. She dedicated her life to uplifting others with unwavering compassion and grace. Audrey was born on April 7, 1925, to Naomi and Charles Madeira in Horseheads, New York.

A lifelong learner with an insatiable curiosity, Audrey graduated from Cadet Nurse Corps, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia in 1947 and became a Juniata College nurse where she met her beloved husband Frank David Marschka. They were married on the Juniata campus in the Church of the Brethren on September 5, 1948 after Dave’s graduation and moved to Silver Spring, Maryland where Audrey worked in pediatrics at Walter Reed Hospital and Dave started graduate school at the University of Maryland. They relocated to Lancaster, PA when Dave accepted a position with RCA Corporation.

Audrey completed her BS degree requirements at Millersville State College. She obtained an MS degree from Temple University and later received her Nurse Practitioner certification from Penn State, Hershey. Audrey retired in 1987 after working as a nurse in many schools in Lancaster County.

After Dave retired, they joined the Peace Corps in 1990 and were assigned to Liberia, West Africa.

In the following years, Audrey and Dave participated in thirteen Earthwatch Institute scientific expeditions worldwide and several mission trips to India and the Caribbean region.

Audrey is survived by her sons Douglas (Kathy Maurer) and Daniel (Valerie Amico) in addition to seven grandchildren and six great granddaughters. Audrey was preceded in death by her husband David, son David, infant son Richard and daughter Deanna.

Audrey was a member of Grandview Church since 1955 where she served in many capacities over the years, including the choir and Sunday school. She also volunteered with the American Red Cross and Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic.

Audrey learned from the stories of patients, the innocence of children, the camaraderie of friends here and abroad, and the whispered secrets of nature. Her Christian faith was her greatest strength—a gentle reminder that knowledge should never overshadow empathy and service to others.

She believed that kindness was a language understood by all, transcending barriers of age, race, and circumstance.
And so, she left us. May her spirit continue to inspire acts of love, and may her memory be a reminder that grace lives on, even after our earthly journey ends. Rest in peace, dear Audrey. Your light will forever illuminate our lives.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 20 at 11 AM at Grandview Church, 888 Pleasure Road, Lancaster. Visitation is at 10 AM. Interment is private.

“For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:5

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Grandview Church. The family also recognizes the honorable dedication and compassion of caregivers and hospice staff at Masonic Village, Elizabethtown, PA.