Marsha Valance '68

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Marsha Jeanne Valance '68, librarian, storyteller and Morgan horse aficionado, passed away peacefully June 29 at Maple Ridge Health Services in Milwaukee. She was 78.

Born in Wilmette, Illinois, on Aug. 2, 1946, Valance graduated from Regina Dominican High School. She attended Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism for two years and completed her bachelor’s degree at UCLA, majoring in history. She later earned her master's in library science (MLS) from the University of Rhode Island.

Valance began her professional career working at the Footnote Bookstore in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1979. She went on to work at the Dubuque Public Library in Dubuque, Iowa; the Geneseo Public Library in Geneseo, Illinois; and the Grand Rapids Public Library in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

She retired as director of the Milwaukee Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

An avid reader, Valance especially loved science fiction, fantasy and mystery novels. She attended science fiction and fantasy conventions as a conference attendee and a panelist. She was a member of the Milwaukee-based Cloak and Clue book club for more than 20 years.

Valance was also a Morgan horse enthusiast, owner and breeder; she loved animals and had many beloved dogs and cats over the course of her lifetime. She regularly wrote articles for Morgan horse magazines and was passionate about both horse and human genealogy.

Valance was the beloved mother of Marguerite “Meg” Jeanne Darlington (nee Valance); adoring and proud grandmother of John Carter Darlington; loving sister of Deborah Lynne (William Douglas) Leonard of Houston, Texas, and Mark Douglas (Malinda) Leonard of Libertyville, Illinois; aunt to Zachary, Justin and Cameron Leonard, Jennifer, Emily and Hannah Douglas, and Anjelina Moore; cousin of many, to whom she was beloved; and dear friend of Maryellen Grey and Gale Burnick.

Valance was preceded in death by brother Thomas Michael “Mike” (the late Veronica) Moore and parents Jeanne Lois Leonard (nee Skinner and Moore) and Edward James Leonard, Jr. and biological father Thomas Michael Moore, Sr.

The family has selected green cremation. A celebration of Valance’s life is being planned.