Marie Angela Marlatt

Marie Angela Marlatt, of Arlington, VA, traveled home to God on December 29, 2017. She is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, Ralph, as well as her brother, 2 children, and four grandsons. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Marie enjoyed an event-filled life, growing up in the Delray section of Alexandria, VA, born to Francis and Catherine Becker on August 31, 1929. her homemaker mother and railroad father Francis were active in the community along with her two brothers Frank and Bernie, and sister Mary Catherine. After graduating from George Washington High School, she entered the convent of the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters in Wisconsin. Born Gertrude Angela, after her vows she took the name Marie Bernice. After serving 14 years as a grade school teacher in Dixon, Illinois, she was transferred to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she finished her college degree at Edgewood College. She was sent to the Bronx in New York City before being transferred to St. Mary's parish school in Piscataway, Maryland. Marie left the convent in 1969, and returned to Alexandria, Virginia where she taught 7th grade special education at king's Park elementary school. In 1970, she met and married Ralph Marlatt on June 15, in Alexandria, VA A daughter Molly was born in March 1971, and a son Mike was born in February 1972. Marie became a full-time homemaker, taking loving care of the family. In 1978, when her husband Ralph took a job in Minnesota, the entire family took on this new adventure. Marie was active with the school and Church, and the family lived there for 16 years. She returned to Arlington, VA, in 1994 to be closer to her children who had moved to the East Coast. Marie came out of retirement and worked two years for Fairfax County as a case aide (at the age of 67!) helping children in foster care. After moving for a few years to Raleigh, NC, Marie and Ralph returned to Arlington in 2001 where they bought a condo just blocks away from where they had started out 47 Years earlier. A new adventure started when she joined her husband living in Romania for several months, then in 2002 traveled to Montenegro and lived there four years with husband Ralph. They enjoyed traveling throughout Eastern Europe, her favorite place being Budapest, which they visited several times. She returned back to the States when the first grandson was born. She actively helped raise Molly's two sons and spent as much time as she could with Mike's sons. Marie enjoyed taking long train trips with her husband. One of her favorite trips was summer of 2016, when they crossed Canada with a first class sleeping car, wonderful food and incredible views. Marie was a strong, quiet presence. Never one to seek the spotlight, she was a beautiful, gentle soul. She had an artistic eye and a beautiful voice. She was the steady hand keeping her husband and family on track. She had a dry wit which everyone loved. She had a sweet-tooth and never met a piece of chocolate she didn't like. Marie enjoyed 87 years of excellent health and was able to enjoy all aspects of a vibrant life. Only this past year, when she was diagnosed with oral cancer, did her health falter. Through it all she remained strong. She was ready to be embraced in the arms of the Lord, and passed away peacefully at surrounded by her family.