Marilyn Pierce Elia, 75, of Ponte Vedra Beach, went home to be with the Lord Jesus on Sunday, July 15, 2018. Marilyn was born in Elmira, New York on October 5, 1942 to the late Doug and Ruth Pierce. Marilyn grew up in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where she graduated from Ridgewood High School. She was a cheerleader and involved in the performing arts as an actress and vocalist. She went on to Lasell College in Massachusetts, where she continued her passion for theater, starring in Annie Get Your Gun and was also a member of the school's female vocal group, The Lamplighters. She also starred in Damn Yankees in community theatre. After college, she was a member of the Ramapo Valley Sweet Adelines barbershop chorus in New Jersey, which became International Barbershop Champions. After moving to Florida in 1980 with her husband and 2 children, she was involved with the Big Orange Barbershop Chorus in Jacksonville and worked at the Alhambra Dinner Theater as both a public relations specialist and an actress/vocalist, playing the role of Mazeppa in Gypsy. She also obtained her Real Estate Brokers license in Florida and worked in that field for many years.
Marilyn's hobbies included loving and worshiping her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, singing barbershop harmony, being THE cheerleader for anyone and everyone, being a Jaguars and a Yankees fan, working with people recovering from various problems, being the queen of bathroom jokes, playing with her dog, Schotzie and going to the movies. She was all glitz and glamour and fiercely patriotic! She always lit up any room she entered and was always the life of any party. She was known to many as the beautiful lady with the gorgeous white hair, loud laugh, loving and generous heart and infectious smile.
Marilyn was welcomed into Heaven by her parents and her former husband and life long friend, Jerry Elia. She is survived by her daughter, Lauren Anne Lulli (Vinni), her son, Paul Elia (Denise), her granddaughters, Emily Anne and Erin Kate Elia, grandson Nick Lulli, her sisters Phyllis Okulicz (John), Gayle DelTufo (Al), nephews Alan DelTufo (Stefanie) and John Okulicz (Allison), nieces Julie Sanchez (Scott) and Cindy DelTufo, her "other" daughter, Colleen Grosos (Jeff), her "other" granddaughter, Caitlin Grosos and many other relatives and friends that she truly loved like family. She was affectionately known to many as our Oma!
A celebration of her very vibrant spirit and life will be held on Friday, July 27, 2018 at 6:30p at Emmaus Church, 3425 Sans Pareil St., Jacksonville, FL 32224. A reception will be held in the church café immediately following a short service. Please feel free to wear cheerful and bright colors. Arrangements are under the direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250. Please offer condolences at www.hardage-giddensbeacheschapel.com
