Marion L. Nemer 1929-2024

Marion was born in Youngstown, on Sept. 6. We think it was 1929, though she kept it her lifelong secret (and is likely upset we finally told!). “It’s just a number,” she’d insist, as she sipped her wine, ate sweets before bed and stayed healthy and vibrant till her final days.

A woman of immense faith, Mom preached “Attitude, attitude!” as her motto for a long, joyful life. And she lived it from the start.

Marion grew up in a family of eight, including sister, Carol (Desmond); brother, George; and grandmother, “Hathoom” in a tiny apartment above the family dry cleaning store on Belmont Avenue. By day, she worked as a seamstress (often making her own stylish clothes), and upon graduating from Ursuline High School, as a flawless court stenographer. By night, she moonlighted as Betty’s sidekick in adventure, once throwing Betty’s shoe into a bullring in Mexico City to honor the matador. “I was wearing a new pair and didn’t want to throw mine,” she explained.

Later, her close-knit family’s home on Norwood became a gathering place of parties, music, dancing and a joy of life forever instilled in Marion.

In 1959, a family priest brought a young man from Akron to visit. “Hi, I’m Bob Nemer,” mom heard loudly from the other room. “Good for you,” a voice inside her replied. Four kids, six grandkids and a lifetime of memories later, it was good for both of them.

Bob and Marion married in 1961, settling in Cuyahoga Falls and Stow. For 60 years (many spent with Bob in the driveway blowing the car horn — “I’d better hurry,” Marion quipped, “that’s Bob’s mating call”), they worked and prayed, laughed and worried, argued, forgave, loved each other beyond measure and made daughters Judy (Seabolt) and Jacqueline; and sons, RJ and David, the focus of their lives. Ups and downs were many. Casseroles and picnics and popcorn night, screaming matches and the vomit pan, graduations, vacation disasters, holidays with homemade baklava and long-distance goodbyes … one constant remained … while Dad’s sheer force moved things forward, Mom’s quiet strength, endless self-sacrifice and enduring love held them together. She knew her kids better than we knew ourselves, gave each one her entire heart without condition or compromise, and was forever the place we could go home to. “I did the best I could,” she’d simply say. It was the best we could ever ask for, Mom.

Outside of family, Marion’s activities were many: Christ Child Society, JWCC, Walsh Mother’s Club, bridge groups (she was great), golf leagues (she was awful), Playhouse Square, concerts and more.

Mom’s purest joy arrived in grandchildren, Grace and Clark (RJ’s kids), JR and Jacob (Judy and John’s), and Nevan and Jackson (Jackie’s). Card games, back rubs and phone calls, “Sitti” (Arabic for grandmother) couldn’t get enough. Surrounded with photos in wallets, pillows, blankets, frames on every table and wall, she’d reflect, “God’s been very good to me.”

Later years brought some of Bob and Marion’s sweetest times together — traveling Europe, Australia and Alaska, seeing the U.S. by car and social outings five nights a week. “Not bad for a dry cleaner’s daughter,” she’d smile. As their mobility faded — and Bob’s loss of hearing made conversations ever more interesting — their great love, affection and pure enjoyment of each other only grew until Bob’s passing in April 2021.

In the years since, Mom spent her time still saying her morning prayers, getting her hair done weekly, knitting for Akron Children’s Hospital (and anyone who wanted a dishcloth or scarf!), singing along to Andrea Bocelli, reminiscing a lifetime of people through her beloved address book, and expressing eternal love to her kids and grandchildren. “What can I do for you?” she’d still ask. Nightly visits to her memory care apartment always ended with “Call and let me know you got home okay.” Then leaning against the wall, she’d watch you walk down the long hallway, turn back to her and wave, as she’d smile and blow you one last kiss goodbye.

In addition to immediate family, Marion is survived by cherished son-in-law, John Seabolt (Judy), and her beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services were private.

Donations in Marion’s name may be made to Our Lady of Cedars Maronite Church, (507 S. Cleveland Massillon Road, Fairlawn, OH 44333), Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (1905 Portage Trail Cuyahoga Falls OH 442230; or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, (Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105).

Our heartfelt thanks to Michelle Oles, Studio 9 Salon and the amazing staff at Hudson Grande Senior Living for the great care and joy you brought to Mom.

(special notice)