Marlene Dietrich Bachman, 81, a local resident for fifty-six years, died on December 13, 2020, peacefully at home with her family by her side after a three-year courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born April 25, 1939 in Philadelphia, PA, she was the daughter of the late John and Helen Dietrich.

On May 7, 1960, in Philadelphia, PA, Marlene married the love of her life, Bruce E. Bachman. Marlene and Bruce grew up in their childhood living right across the street from each other and would go on to celebrate a milestone of sixty years of marriage this past May 2020.

Marlene briefly lived in Baltimore, MD, where she gave birth to a daughter, Sharon. She relocated with her family to the Hudson Valley, NY, area in 1964 where she would spend the rest of her life. She soon had a second child, Eric. Marlene enthusiastically began her career going forward as "homemaker" to Sharon and Eric. She always provided love and care to her children, kept them involved and engaged in activities at home and volunteered her time at school functions and sports activities. Marlene worked part time in two women's boutiques: The Fishkill Department Store and Allure, both in Hopewell Junction. Her own activities included playing tennis and sewing. She attributed her active lifestyle in helping her remain physically strong throughout her entire life.

Marlene loved her home in Hopewell Junction, NY. She really enjoyed decorating and making a warm home for her family and friends to enjoy. She took pride in keeping a clean house on the inside while maintaining curb appeal on the outside. Marlene would often lend her home out to host Poughkeepsie Women's Coterie Club parties and Little Switzerland Neighborhood Association events. She hosted a Christmas Eve open house for family and friends for thirty years. Marlene had a second home in Myrtle Beach, SC and felt very fortunate to be able to wake up and see the beach for several months out of the year.

Marlene loved people, family and friends, more than anything. She had many of the same friends for over forty years and still maintained an ability to make new friends in any social setting. Marlene would be one of the first to arrive at social gatherings and one of the last to leave, always making a conscious effort to talk and communicate with everyone in the room.

Marlene is survived at home by her loving husband of sixty years, Bruce Bachman. She is also survived by her dear son, Eric Bachman, of Fishkill, NY and his fiancé, Maria Aponte. Marlene's sister, Helene Walker, and sister-in-law, Ellen Dietrich, both of Pennsylvania, also survive along with several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her daughter, Sharon Bachman Skarshinski (2014).

The Family would like to thank Dr. Edward K. Schneider of Southern Dutchess Family Practice for all of his care over the years. They would also like to acknowledge all of the wonderful nurses at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Harrison, NY.

Funeral arrangements will be private and at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc.