Marilyn Bell Wagner

Durham, NC — Marilyn B. Wagner, 77, of Durham, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, October 26, 2024. Born on April 10, 1947, in Sioux City, IA, to Robert and Betty (Baker) Hine, Marilyn was raised in Sioux Falls, SD, where she touched the hearts of all who knew her, leaving an indelible mark on her family and friends.

Marilyn attended the University of South Dakota, where she earned her degree in nursing. She furthered her education by obtaining a master's in social work from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas. With a passion for helping others, she enjoyed a fulfilling career as a clinical coordinator for the spinal cord injury and heart transplant teams, at Duke Medical Center, making significant contributions to the lives of her patients and their families.

Marilyn shared a wonderful life with her devoted husband, Galen Wagner, for 23 years. Together, they explored the world, traveling for both pleasure and Galen’s work. Their adventures took them to many beautiful places, including France, Sweden, Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands, England, Germany, Croatia, Slovakia, and throughout the United States, where they created cherished memories and long-lasting friendships with stories that will be fondly remembered.

A lifelong learner, Marilyn was always expanding her knowledge on a wide range of topics, from medicine to politics to art and nature. She loved engaging in discussions that sparked curiosity and understanding. Her wicked sense of humor, coupled with her contagious laugh, brought joy to her friends and family and those around her. Many will remember her on hikes in Duke Forest or further afield, often with binoculars in hand, watching for bluebirds and other wildlife. Marilyn also enjoyed spending many holidays and vacations over the years along the North Carolina coast and in Southwest Harbor Maine with friends and family. 

Marilyn was surrounded by dear friends and was loved by many. She cherished her childhood friends from Sioux Falls, her longtime colleagues and friends from Duke, and the wonderful friends she made in Durham through yoga and her walking group. Her ability to forge lasting connections enriched the lives of those around her.

Marilyn will be remembered for her endless thirst for knowledge, her unwavering support of those she held most dear, and her remarkable sense of humor, which she used to face life’s challenges with grace and resilience. Although she is no longer with us, her legacy of love, kindness, and strength will live on in the hearts of those she cherished.

Marilyn was the widow of the late Dr. Galen S. Wagner. She is survived by her son, Samuel J. Bell, and his wife, Abigail, and grandson Benjamin; her sister, Susan Beck; stepson Christopher Wagner; stepdaughter Laura Wagner; and granddaughter Talia.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Washington Duke Inn, 3001 Cameron Blvd, Durham, NC. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Audubon Society or a charity of your choice in her memory.