Rella Mae Marcantonio

Rella Mae Boon Marcantonio, 99 of Longmont, Colorado, was granted her angel wings on Thursday, June 20, 2019. She was born July 29, 1919, in a tent atop the Uncompahgre Plateau. Her family moved to Grand Junction, Colorado in 1922. She was the daughter of the late Franklin and Eunice Boon.

Rella earned an Associates of Arts degree at Mesa State College, now known as Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colorado, and a degree from the University of Colorado School of Nursing in Denver. She continued to nurse during WWII. Thereafter, she pursued additional education and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from the Colorado State College in Greeley, Colorado, now known as the University of Northern Colorado. Rella then taught for 35 years in all levels of education: elementary grades through college.

Rella had a passion for the arts and for education; a philosophy she lived by and promoted often was this:

“Get all the education you can get. It’s the only thing ‘nobody’ can ever take away from you.”

Her teaching took many forms: she taught in a one room school house with multiple grades, many grade levels of public education, and even private lessons at her kitchen table. She never lost her desire to inspire and guide others. She was always willing to help her students acquire knowledge.

Passionate about art and poetry, Rella lived her life with creative expression. Of all art forms her favorites were watercolor painting and drawing with pen and ink. Throughout the years, many friends and family were recipients of her handmade cards enclosed with one of her poems for a special occasion.

Her love of people made it effortless for her to be involved in many organizations and events. The Longmont community was important to Rella; she volunteered many hours of her time and specifically used her talent to design posters and various forms of art for those in need.

Rella is preceded in death by her son Sam, (2001), and her husband Frank of 69 years, (2010). She is survived by their two sons Bob (Linda), Gary, and their daughter Mary, as well as, nine grandchildren; Samantha, Kristina (Clint), Jacob, Josh (Cynthia), Isaac (Misty), Dominic (Starla), Frank (Bobbi), Chuck (Jen), and Neil, and twenty-two great grandchildren, and nine great, great grandchildren.

Please join our family for a memorial service to honor Rella’s life on July 28th at 1:00 p.m., followed by a reception, both at the American Legion, 315 S. Bowen Street, Longmont, Colorado.