Sarah Marie Serafin

Marie was a loving sister to Barbara, Bob (Dora), and a devoted mother to Donna, Donnie (Teresa), Danny (Julia), Cathy, and Crissy; loving grandmother and aunt to seven grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, one niece and a great aunt to two. Marie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Thomas LaVenia (1969), sister Barbara (2002), great granddaughter Lyndsay (2016), son Donnie (2020), and great grandson Joseph (2021).

Marie was responsible for the leadership of MedStar VNA HealthCare. She oversaw the research, planning, development and implementation of new community health and awareness programs throughout the Baltimore-Washington region. In addition, she managed VNA's Fight the Flu program, which provides influenza vaccinations to local communities and businesses.

Since starting her nursing career in medical and surgical neurology at Fairfax Hospital in 1974, Marie has acquired over 30 years of home care experience. Prior to coming to VNA, she was the associate director of home healthcare services for Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC. Marie also worked as director of Upjohn's Home Healthcare Service at Capitol Hill Hospital in Washington, DC, and administered a pilot project where she managed home care services for the corporation's New Jersey region.

Marie graduated from Fairfax County School of Nursing. She has spoken at various events about children and homecare, and has been a presenter at National Association of Home Care events. As well, she was instrumental in the development of an Advanced Medical Center at The Correctional Institute for Women, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She completed her nursing career as an educator and instructor for hospice care, before her retirement.

Friends welcome on Wednesday, March 26 for gathering beginning at 11 am, followed by a service to celebrate her life at 12 pm at the Demaine Funeral Home, Backlick Road, Springfield, VA. Interment will be private.