Marian McCray-DeLoach Woman of the Year 2008

 

 

 

Marian was born, raised and lived in Washington, D.C. for 28 years – the oldest of four children. She is an honor graduate of both Flint Hill Preparatory School and The Washington School for Secretaries and Legal Assistants.  She landed her first “real” job as Admin. Asst. for a large tank-truck company – working in the cushy red carpet area for the CEO and President for eight years.  Simultaneously, she “moonlighted” in the retail business.   

 

Living down the street from Eunice Kennedy Shriver was Marian’s first introduction into getting involved in the community, and she soon volunteered her time to Eunice’s Special Olympics Program.  Marian reveled in and took advantage of the wide range of social, cultural and philanthropic opportunities a city as Washington has to offer, attending State Dinners, White House functions, and, of course, many a Washington Redskin football game along the way!  Other fond activities included attending the Kennedy Performing Arts Center and spending Summer weekends in Rehoboth Beach and Ocean City.  And, of course, this is where she met two of her best friends of 38 years, brother and sister Peter and Suzanne Beaulieu -- who have been and still are profoundly huge in her life today. 

 

Marian moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1979 and was initially in “culture” shock.  However, she “hung in there” and landed another fun job as Admin. Asst. and personal secretary to Harvey Crane, CEO and mastermind of Crane Cams, and got involved in the exciting world of professional car racing.  Many work/fun trips with fellow Crane associate, Susan Cumby, took her to Indy, Daytona, Monterrey, etc., and provided an opportunity to meet a plethora of interesting people.  Unfortunately, Crane moved its operation out of So. Fla. and Marian chose to stay in Fort Lauderdale.

 

In 1987, Marian switched gears and pursued a career in the legal profession – and attended and completed a paralegal course at Nova Law School (n/k/a Nova Southeastern).  She has worked in various fields of law, but eventually specialized in the areas of probate and guardianship and became a probate paralegal for Tillinghast Collins & Graham.  Marian’s most recent position was working with Jennifer Robinson at Ruden, McClosky in the probate and estate planning department – a job she loved -- and where she made further lasting friendships.

 

Marian met her husband Bobby DeLoach through a mutual dear friend, Priscilla Barker, eighteen years ago.  They recently celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary.  Bobby is an attorney with Ledbetter & Associates and of counsel to the law firm of Adorno & Yoss in Fort Lauderdale.  When Bobby and Marian realized they couldn’t have children of their own, Marian delved back into the philanthropic community, starting with her re-introduction to Special Olympics through its find-raising arm, Pinion, thanks to her friend Laurie Sallarulo.  Marian has served on Pinion’s Board and held many officer positions since 1996, and is currently serving as its V.P. Fund Development along with her blonde and “loverly” cohort, Christine Hurlock.  

 

Other charities Marian is involved with:  Past V.P. Publicity and Board Member of Henderson Mental Health Auxiliary, current active Board Member of Cystic Fibrosis GCG, past V.P. Publicity and has co-chaired many events for CFGCG including its Spring Luncheon/Fashion Show, and is currently V.P. Publicity and Board Member of ACS 1000+ Club and Co-Chaired this very Woman of the Year event last year!

 

Marian enjoys many activities, and feels extremely fortunate in her life to have a loving (and ever-patient) husband, stepson, daughter-in-law, four-year old grandson, three siblings, her RMC gal pals, her Girls Night In and Out gal pals, her very special four-legged critter, Charlie Brown DeLoach, and a wide circle of “family of friends” who are all very special to her.

 

Marian is extremely “elated and proud to be chosen by Pinion’s Board to be their Honoree as 2008 Woman of the Year.”   “I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my family, friends, Liaison ‘British Wendy,’ and my five star hostesses Birgit, ‘Queenie Christine,’ ‘Gosh darn it Harriet,’ ‘Chiquita Chiquita Mirtha’ and ‘next-door white tornado Wendy’ for all their time, effort and huge support for me at this momentous occasion in my life.”