Marlene Ann Dexter passed away peacefully at Cedar Cove Assisted Living and Memory Care of Wilmington, NC on January 17, 2025. She was 85.

She was the daughter of the late John Anthony Schaefer and Margaret Latisia LaPolt, born on September 29, 1939.

Marlene was a 1957 graduate of Monticello High School, and SUNY Oswego; had a distinguished career as a certified rehabilitation counselor and social worker for New York State and later North Carolina; and was an internationally recognized breeder of champion Lhasa Apsos. In addition to her parents, Marlene was predeceased by her husband, Jack August Dexter; daughter, Wendy P. Annunziata; cherished older brothers, Walter “Bucky” Schaefer and Robert Schaefer; dear sisters-in-law, Elinor Schaefer, Mary Anne North, and Linda Schaefer; niece Lori Schaefer Hastings; grand-niece Mary MacMaster; and her first husband, Dr. Anthony Annunziata. Marlene is survived by her nieces, Karen Linen (John); Kathleen Ronstrom (Kevin); and Patricia Seward; granddaughter, Rhiannon Annunziata-Searles; step-niece Jacqueline Mele (Louis); grand-niece Allison Linen; grand-nephews Scott Seward, Kyle Seward, and Nicholas Mele; several beloved cousins within the esteemed LaPolt Family; many dear friends in New York and her adopted home state of North Carolina; and her treasured Yorkie, Tiger.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Sullivan County SPCA, 104 Rock Hill Drive, Rock Hill, NY 12775.

Services were handled privately at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements were under the care of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, for further information please call (845) 434-7363.