Obituaries

Marleen Farber Press, 72, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2026. She was a native of Newport News and had been a resident there her entire life. Marleen graduated from Ferguson High School and went to work for the City of Newport News, first in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, then the Department of Codes and Compliance, and finally as a Teacher’s Assistant, starting in B.C. Charles Elementary and then Dutrow Elementary, retiring after having over 20 years of service.

Marleen was preceded in death by her parents, Lorraine and Irving Farber. She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Jeffrey L. Press; son, Martin T. Press (Shannon Corcoran); sister, Jill Shelton; and two brothers, Alan L. Farber and Hal Steven Farber (Randy Yetzer); numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

Marleen was a member of Rodef Sholom Temple; she participated in the AL-ANON Groups and the local OCD Chapter, had been the leader for 40 years, and was on the Executive Board of the American Cancer Society. She was a loving wife and mother, and a good cook. She couldn’t boil water when she got married, but she went on to learn and learn quickly. When microwave ovens first came out, she bought a book to learn how to cook in them. She loved working in the yard in her flower beds, and she loved bringing in flowers for the house. She was bubbly, and if you met her, you never forgot her.

A graveside service will be held at the Jewish Cemetery for the Virginia Peninsula on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Awareness, c/o Jeff Press, at his home address. Marleen served on the Executive Committee and was committed to raising as much money as possible for Breast Cancer.

Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home, 11144 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, Virginia 23601.