Marion Baldassano

Marion was born in Melbourne, Nova Scotia to George and Olive “Dolly” Boudreau on February 9, 1926, the first of their four children.

Marion married Robert “Bob” Baldassano on January 30, 1948 on Staten Island, NY where, after being briefly stationed with the army in Stuttgart, Germany, they raised their 3 children.

Marion became Nana with the birth of her two granddaughters, and they had the great privilege of enjoying her unconditional love and affection for more than forty years.

After her husband’s death in 1982, Marion and her daughter Patti lived on Staten Island until she retired from her job as a medical receptionist. Her son Robert “Bob” and daughter-in-law Susan then helped them move to Spring Hill, Florida, where she enjoyed playing cards, bowling, and gathering fresh oranges and grapefruits from her backyard.

After two decades in sunny Florida, Bob and Susan facilitated another move for his Mom and sister, this time back up north to Alexandria, VA to be close to family.

Marion was known for her irresistible attraction to babies, uncanny resemblance to Sophia from the Golden Girls, prolific cookie baking, homemade spaghetti sauce, superior scrabble skills, obsession with watching golf and completing jigsaw puzzles, ‘jogging’ with her walker around the condo complex well into her 90s, and an irrepressible sense of fun.

In a word, she was amazing, and as she approached 100 strong in mind and body, she heard that word a lot. Fittingly, her all-time favorite hymn included that same word.

Beloved mother of Bob (Susan) and Patti (who passed away suddenly ten days prior) and Joanne (who passed away in 1968). Devoted Nana of Debbie (Tim) Gaydos and Kat (James) McClarty. With her great-grandchildren: Nana to Rebecca and Mark, Old Nana to Abby and Zach. Nana to the Pettitts, Molinas, Chambers, Zehs, and Mandi; Mrs. B to the Novaks and McCarthys; Marion to "Team Marion". Sister of Ruthann Rhodes, the late Gerald "Jeff" Boudreau and the late Vernon "Buddy" Boudreau. Aunt Marion to their children and her nephew Martin (Marian) Baldassano. Beloved Nana to dear friends Helena and Cat. She will be remembered and missed by many, many more.

Family and friends are invited to attend a joint memorial service for Marion and her daughter Patti at 6:30pm on Friday, July 25 at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield VA. The family is also available to receive visitors at the funeral home before and after the service, 5:00-6:30pm and 7:00-8:00pm.

If you would like to give a gift in her honor, a meaningful place to donate would be to the scholarship fund at Prince of Peace Lutheran School.