Marianne Frances Radziewicz

Marianne grew up in South Boston, Massachusetts, where she attended local grammar and high schools, later studying at Boston State College. Her personal and organizational talents were recognized early on and led to key administrative positions at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston and Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, New Hampshire. Then, in Washington, DC, she put those same skills to work by advocating passionately and successfully on Capitol Hill for animal rights on behalf of many leading animal rights organizations. She counted as perhaps her greatest professional accomplishment her role in the landmark 1980s court case to save the "Silver Springs Monkeys"--a pivotal episode in the history of the animal rights movement and animal rights legislation. Marianne was proud to give a voice to those who could not speak for themselves.

In her work on Capitol Hill and in various jobs later in the DC area, Marianne established many friendships and a sterling reputation for being, in the words of one colleague, "dedicated, reliable, and most of all honest."

Marianne was a loving caregiver for her late mother, Mary Radziewicz, during her mother's final illness, and never let a day go by without thinking of her sister, Helen, who died all too young four decades ago. Having lived a long life herself, Marianne saw the passing of her father, John Radziewicz, and many dear uncles, aunts, cousins, and in-laws, and she honored their memory in part by being an avid family historian. Her loss is felt deeply by her brother, John Radziewicz; his wife, Tania; their children, James and Emma; and their grandchildren, Juniper and Julian. She leaves behind many cousins and other relatives, including Mary O'Brien, Bob Giers, Steve Giers, Kathy Barbaro, Donna Easingwood, Xenia Harwell, and Rolly Harwell, as well as many faithful friends and colleagues, including Trisha Sullivan Thompson, Joanna Harkin, Myra Seay, Lisa Starling, Will Rogers, Tina Jolley-Strawn, Deana Kilgore, and Barbara Chan. A special source of strength and support in Marianne's final year were her selfless friend Millie Tedford and her devoted caregiver Niya Hall. Marianne took great comfort in the knowledge that all her beloved cats had found welcoming new homes among her friends.

Marianne's Catholic faith sustained her to the end, and she found boundless meaning, guidance, and solace in the Beatitudes, especially the verse beginning "Blessed are the merciful."

As Marianne wished, her funeral will take place at the parish church near where she grew up: Our Lady of Czestochowa Church (St. Mary's Polish Church), 655 Dorchester Avenue, South Boston, MA. The church service will be at 10 AM on Saturday, July 25th, followed by a graveside ceremony at New Calvary Cemetery, 800 Harvard Street, Mattapan, MA.

If you choose, please honor Marianne's work and further her legacy either by contributing to a local animal shelter or animal rights organization or by donating in her name to Gunston Animal Hospital in Lorton, Virginia.