Marlene Rose Hankes

Marlene Rose “Peggy” Hankes, 87, of Houston, Texas, passed away on Sunday, April 15, 2018. She was born in Ithaca, New York on April 9, 1931 to Seeley Calvin DeKay and wife Rose (Vida).

Marlene had been enjoying the Cypress area and all it has to offer since 2004. From 1950 to 1954 she was able to see many sights as she traveled the world as an airline stewardess for United Airlines. She was not only the head stewardess but was also in charge of the VIP’s in first class. Although her career took her many places Marlene found a home in Washington D.C. with other stewardess. In 1954 Marlene met the man she would soon call her husband Wilbur Ray Hankes on a flight and had a date with him before the plane landed; you can say it was love at first sight. Wilbur loved her very much that after only a few shorts months, on Saint Patrick’s Day, he proposed and on July 7, 1954 Marlene’s last name changed from DeKay to Hankes. Together they lived in Washington where Marlene would throw fancy dinner parties for all of Wilbur’s important clients. For 21 years, starting in 1955, Marlene was not only a nurturing mother to her children but was also a loving housewife to her family. In her spare time between 1970 and 1976 she had an eye for the arts and was a part time art dealer but as that started to come to an end in 1955 Marlene became the owner and placement counselor for Dr. Personnel Medical Employment Agency where she remained till 2004. She pioneered the first employment counseling for doctors and their staff and the selling of medical practices and hospital doctor positions in the Houston area.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband,  Wilbur Ray Hankes, her parents, sister, Judy Welling, brothers, Robert “Bobby” DeKay, and Johnny DeKay, and several other loving relatives and friends.

She is survived by her daughters, Casey Heck and Husband Stephen Heck, III, and Katherine Kim Given; grandchildren, Lori Theresa Maddox and husband James, Lisa Michelle Deitrick and husband Aaron; great-grandchildren, Nora Marie Lou, Connor Ray Maddox, and Sterling Wilbur Deitrick; brother, Jimmy DeKay and wife Suzie.

A reception following the service will be held at 15619 Ten Oaks Drive, Tomball, Texas 77377.

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