Dr. Marianne S. Breslin, 93, passed away peacefully, on Wednesday, September 12, 2012, following a brief illness. Marianne was born in Bundheim, Germany, December 10, 1918. She always talked about an idyllic childhood spending her days on her fathers palatial horse estate. Marianne was attending medical school during the height of WWII and received her training in Berlin, Wurzburg, Tubingen, and Dusseldorf, always staying one step ahead of the war. In 1951, Marianne was awarded a US Government Fellowship under the Marshall Plan and was offered a position in New York City. She was married to Lou Eugene Breslin, who passed at a young age, and moved to Chapel Hill in 1952. Marianne received Psychiatric Residency Training while working at Dorothea Dix and UNC Hospitals. Following her residency, she accepted a position as staff physician at UNC Hospital. While at UNC, Marianne completed Psychoanalytic training at the combined Duke-UNC Psychoanalytic Institute. In 1968, Marianne accepted a position as Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Duke University Hospital where she enjoyed a long and distinguished career until her retirement in 1988. Marianne continued to consult at the Durham Veterans Hospital, was a consultant with Social Security Disability Determination, and carried on a busy private practice until her ultimate retirement in 2008.

Marianne was married again to Ernest J. Gaither, who preceded her in death as did one stepson, Jess E. Gaither. She is survived by her Daughters, Louanne Breslin Warren and Julia Gaither Todd. Sons-in-law Keith Warren and Mark Todd. She is also survived by Grand Daughters Jennie Marie Keichline, Julia Wood Renegar, Pailin Hornbeck Gaither and Grandson Christopher Gaither, and great grandchildren. Also survived by her Step-Grandson Ashton Warren of Chapel Hill.

Memorials can be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 East Rosemary Street , Chapel Hill, NC 27514 or Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Duke Medical Center, P O Box 3950, Durham NC 27710.

There will be a Memorial Celebration of Marianne’s Life on NOV 3 , 11:00 am at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 300 East Rosemary Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

Please view her complete Obituary on funeral website: www.cremationsocietync.com