Marshall –
Celebrating the life and career of Marianna TePaske Daly.
Marianna TePaske Daly grew up in Durham, North Carolina. She was the daughter of educators who raised her to ask questions, think deeply, and above all else—serve others. Daly passed away last month at her home with her family by her side.
In July 1988, Dr. Daly embarked on a journey that would forever change her life and the lives of our Madison County residents. She came to work in a poor rural county as a family physician, providing care to residents of all ages. She fell in love with the people, the culture and the traditions. She continued to serve the residents of our county for the past 34 years.
Career in Public Health
In 1991, Dr. Daly became the Medical Director for the Madison County Health Department. She absolutely loved public health and served in this capacity for 30 years. She was available to the staff 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and never complained about late night or weekend calls. She was even known to visit patients in their homes, and on holidays when necessary. She took great joy in providing services to our residents. She was an amazing leader, encourager, supporter, mentor and friend to the employees of the health department. During these last years as medical director Dr. Daly saw a need to treat hepatitis C in Madison County and become one of the first primary care physicians to respond to that need. Dr. Daly saw a need to help Madison County residents suffering from substance use disorder and took action to obtain her waiver to treat this condition. Due to her forward thinking and desire to help, Madison County Health Department was the second health department in the state of North Carolina to provide this service. In 2015 Dr. Daly was honored by the North Carolina Public Health Association for her dedicated efforts in public health in response to Ebola prevention, and in 2017 she received the 2017 North Carolina Public Health Communicable Disease Branch Award.
Dr. Daly was the Medical Director for Hospice of Madison County from 1990 to 1994, she treated each patient with respect. She took a personal interest in them, desiring that each resident live life to their fullest potential. Dr. Daly served as a medical examiner in Madison County for over 30 years.
In February 2020, the Madison County Health Department was named in her honor as the Madison County Health Department, the Dr. Marianna TePaske Daly center.
Dr. Daly was a passionate advocate, a public health educator, and a friend to everyone in our community. Her light will continue to shine forever in our lives.
Suggestions for donations in her honor may be made to the Dr. Marianna Daly Medical Fund at the Madison County Health Department. 493 Medical Park Drive, Marshall NC 28753, (828-649-3531) tcody@madisoncountync.gov; Dr. Marianna Daly Scholarship Fund managed by the Madison County Education Foundation. 5738 US Highway 25-70. Marshall NC. 28753. (828) 649-9276. Michael Wallin, CFO. mwallin@madisonk12.net or to the Trinity Episcopal Church of Asheville.
Editor’s note: Cody is the Director of the Madison County Health Department.