03/09/2026
Marion von Hagen Kober, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026, at Bath County Community Hospital in Hot Springs, Virginia. She was 87.
Marion was born on July 29, 1938, at the family estate in Alt Gaul near Berlin, to Rüdiger Sylvester von Hagen and Barbara von Hagen, née Countess von Degenfeld-Schonburg. During World War II, her family was forced to flee their home in northern Germany, eventually settling in Schleching, Bavaria, after nearly three years of displacement. Her uncle, Albrecht von Hagen, was a member of the German resistance and participated in the July 20 plot to assassinate Adolf Hi**er, later depicted in the film Valkyrie.
She attended Oberrealschule Marquartstein and later the Riemerschmid Schule in Munich, where she developed her lifelong interests in gardening, plants, and landscape design.
At her father’s encouragement, Marion emigrated to the United States in her early twenties, first arriving in Charlottesville, Virginia, before settling in Washington, D.C., where she worked for many years at the National Geographic Society.
These early experiences instilled in Marion the strength, resilience, and independence that defined her life.
In Washington, D.C., she met George Cochran Denby, and together they raised their two sons, Doug and Nick. Marion devoted herself fully to her family and volunteered with numerous organizations while continuing to develop her passion for gardening, plants, and landscape design.
Marion’s connection to Emerald Isle, North Carolina, began through her family’s long tradition of summer vacations along the East Coast. The family built a beach house there, creating lasting memories and deep ties to the community she loved. It was this love of place and family that ultimately led Marion to make Emerald Isle her permanent home, settling into the family house she cherished so deeply.
While living there, Marion courageously founded and built the Cedar Point Nursery and Landscape Center, a thriving business based in Swansboro, North Carolina. Through her determination and vision, she grew the business into a large and successful enterprise, which she later sold when she moved to Hot Springs, Virginia, to marry Joseph Horst “Sepp” Kober.
Hot Springs, Virginia, became the defining chapter of Marion’s life and the place she called home for nearly 30 years. Her connection to this special place began decades earlier, when she first came to the United States as a young woman in her mid-twenties. During the winter season, she traveled to The Homestead Resort with members of the German ski community, including her sister Barbara, who was a weekend ski instructor. They came to teach skiing to guests of The Homestead, bringing their European skiing expertise to the mountains of Virginia.
It was during this time that Marion first met Joseph Horst “Sepp” Kober, an Austrian-born ski instructor and beloved member of The Homestead skiing community. Although their lives went in different directions for many years, their connection endured. They reconnected later in life, married, and ultimately built their life together in Hot Springs.
Marion and Sepp shared a joyful and deeply meaningful life together, united by their love of skiing, the outdoors, and The Homestead. Together, they contributed to the growth and spirit of the skiing community there, forming lasting friendships and becoming an important part of the fabric of Hot Springs.
Marion developed a lifelong relationship with The Homestead Resort, which spanned more than three decades. Even after Sepp’s passing, her bond with The Homestead and the community surrounding it remained strong. The friendships she formed there, and the sense of belonging she found, were among the greatest joys of her life.
It is no surprise that Hot Springs ultimately became the place where Marion chose to spend the rest of her life. Surrounded by the mountains that reminded her of her beloved Bavaria, and embraced by a community she loved deeply, she lived independently, courageously, and on her own terms until the very end.
She loved the Hot Springs community deeply and showed extraordinary compassion for her neighbors. Her impact was felt in countless ways, always motivated by her desire to help others and strengthen the community she cherished.
Marion was a devoted member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where she served for many years on the Vestry and dedicated herself to preparing the altar for Sunday services. Her faith and commitment to the church were central to her life.
Marion’s compassion extended profoundly to animals, especially dogs. She dedicated significant time and energy to the Bath Animal Welfare Foundation (BAWF), supporting its mission and caring deeply about its success. She was especially drawn to the dogs who had the hardest time finding homes, offering them patience, stability, and unconditional love. Over the years, she welcomed many of these remarkable animals into her home.
She was never lonely, always surrounded by the loyal companionship of her beloved dogs. Bath Animal Welfare Foundation and St. Luke’s had a profound impact on her life, and her family is eternally grateful.
Marion was defined by her strength, discipline, and devotion to her family. She gave everything to raising her sons and ensuring they were prepared to live meaningful and rewarding lives.
She is survived by her sons, Douglas Cochran Denby and his wife Courtney Denby, and Nicholas von Hagen Denby and his wife Brooke Denby; her grandchildren, Marcella Denby, Meredith Denby, Grayson Denby, George Denby, and Douglas Denby; her stepson, Sepp Kober; and her sister, Barbara O’Connor. She was preceded in death by her sister Sabine von Hagen.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 2026, at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with a 5:00 p.m. celebration planned immediately following in Hot Springs, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bath Animal Welfare Foundation at P.O. Box 716, Hot Springs, Virginia 24445. https://bawf.org/donation/.
Marion lived a life of courage, independence, faith, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Closing Message from Her Sons
Our mother was the strongest, most determined, and most loving person we have ever known. She gave everything she had to her family and taught us, through her actions, what it means to live with courage, independence, and integrity.
She showed us how to work hard, how to care for others, and how to stand on our own feet. Her strength, discipline, and love shaped our lives in ways that words cannot fully express.
We will miss her every day, but we find comfort knowing she lived exactly as she wanted — with dignity, purpose, and surrounded by the community and animals she loved so deeply.
Mom, thank you for everything you gave us. Your love will stay with us forever.
With love and gratitude,
Doug and Nick
In loving memory of our mother, Marion von Hagen Kober.
