Marjorie Jean MacFarlane

Marjorie Jean MacFarlane, MA, JD passed away on July 21, 2026. Born August 8, 1945, in Yonkers, NY to Scottish immigrants, Marjorie grew up in the mountains of NC. She was the first in the family to complete college graduating from UNC-Greensboro. After graduation, Marjorie moved to Washington, DC starting a highly successful career in federal service. Along the way she earned a Master of Arts from Catholic University and Juris Doctorate from George Washington University.

Marjorie started at the Comptroller of the Currency as Director of Staffing & Compensation then moved over to the US Secret Service as Director of Employee & Labor Relations. Her next step was a move to the National Science Foundation for many years serving as Chief of Personnel and was promoted to Senior Associate Director and Executive Officer for NSF Administration. After completing law school and being admitted to the Bar, she moved into Senior Executive Service at NSF as Executive Officer and Special Council to the Director. Her last appointment before retiring from federal service was Chief of Staff for Senior Policy Advisor to Vice President Al Gore.

Upon retiring, Marjorie started MacKenzie Associates, LTD providing consultancy leadership for Washingtom Advisory Group, Columbia University, Science Foundation Arizona, Science Foundation Ireland, and the Government of the Republic of Ireland. Between her years in federal service and post-retirement consulting she travelled the world. She finally retired after all this accomplishment at age 72 shortly after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Resisting this diagnosis until she could no longer, Marjorie is survived by two sisters AJ Carpenter and Jeanie Frye. Her brother Bob Frye preceded her in death in 2021. The family will have a memorial and interment at Piney Grove Cemetery in Swannanoa, NC near her grandparents Jean and John MacKenzie and her mother Jean MacKenzie Frye.

If you are so inclined, in lieu of flowers please donate to the Alzheimer’s Society in her honor.
https://donorservices.alz.org/login?form=FUNXAHXKQNE