Marion Lois Lavigne Rossi died Monday, May 16,2022 in Huntsville, Alabama, at the age of 92. Marion will be remembered for her gentle soul, independent spirit, irrepressible sense of style, and abiding love for her family. She is deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on January 22, 1930, Marion met her husband, Charles, when she brought her dog, Buttons, to the vet and Charles was the one to treat him. After beginning married life in Chicago, Marion moved with Charles and their young family to Ohio, then Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and eventually to Auburn, Alabama in 1970. There they raised their five young children. Her children fondly remember her extraordinary sense of humor. She worked as an office manager, secretary, and bookkeeper for various places in the Auburn area, some of which were Auburn Junior High School, St. Duncan's Episcopal Church, and Auburn University; in Atlanta, she worked at Agnes Scott College until 1996 when she came to Huntsville.
A lover of art, music, and nature, she adored British television and Italian opera. Marion was an avid newshound. She believed fiercely in standing up for what's right and was a steadfast supporter of civil and women's rights. She stayed politically engaged throughout her life.
Always interested in art, she started with sketching and carving. As an adult, she learned to paint, studying with artists in Huntsville. She worked with acrylics, watercolor pencils, and oils. She painted landscapes from her travels to Italy and captured the forms and colors of flowers. Her work was shown in galleries and art shows in Huntsville, Birmingham, Auburn, and Decatur.
Marion had a strong sense of style, rarely seen without a silk scarf. She was affectionally called Hobbit and Grammy by her children and grandchildren. Into her 90s, Marion walked her miniature poodle, Cotton, daily around the block. She tended a lovely garden, feeding the many birds and other creatures that made their way to her yard.
Marion was preceded in death by her former husband, Charles Rossi. Marion is survived by her five children, Claudia Rossi, Johnna (John) Roberts, Marcia Rossi (Larry Moore), Todd (Caroline) Rossi, Paula Hays, and eight grandchildren, John Stephen Roberts (Justin Hendley), Michelle Roberts (David Earnhardt), Julia Roberts, Andria Moore, Alexander Moore, Nicholas Hays, Ryan Hays, and Adin Rossi.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to EMILY'S List, Nature Conservancy, or World Wildlife Fund.
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