Marion P. Ackerman was born in Hackensack, New Jersey. She grew up going to the Jersey and Connecticut shores, as well as Long Island, to play with her cousins. Her peaceful life was shattered by the death of her father and severe financial setbacks from the Great Depression. Undaunted, Marion and her family pushed forward. In 1955, she moved to California – after working in locations like the Chrysler Building in New York City and in the Hollywood Beach Hotel in Hollywood Beach, Florida. In California, she worked in San Francisco and Oakland before settling in the South Bay. She worked for Santa Clara County for 20 years, including as a Secretary to Dr. Erickson of Outpatient Services, in Social Services, and mainly as a Medical Admitting Clerk in the Emergency Department of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Marion met and married Michael J. Ackerman of Alameda County. Third-generation Californians, Michael and his brother Murray grew up in the Bay Area, attending St. Vincent’s School for Boys and Bellarmine College Preparatory here in San Jose. Michael’s brother Murray married Eleanor. Michael and Marion had a son, Stephen M. Ackerman. Murray and Eleanor had two children, Michael and Claire. Marion was a voracious reader. She used to say, “Who needs television when one has a book.” She was also a writer, having published a story on the Great Depression. Marion also taught literacy to people from both around the world and here at home. She belonged to former First Lady Barbara Bush’s Foundation for Family Literacy and the Santa Clara City Library Foundation & Friends. She would go on to teach 11 people in literacy, while helping others obtain their American citizenship. Marion kept in touch with friends and family; always ensuring they knew they were loved. She endured hardships and setbacks with both fortitude and grace. She demonstrated not simply a desire to survive, but to succeed in the face of adversity. She is survived by her son Stephen and his wife Jill. Memorial service will be held on September 19th at 11:00AM at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1957 Pruneridge Avenue, Santa Clara, CA 95050.
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