Marianne Story Stapleton, 85, passed away peacefully at her home on April 9, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. She was the devoted wife for 59 years to William (Bill) Learnerd Stapleton, who passed away in 2012.
Born in Cambridge, Marianne was the youngest of six children born to Alfred and Honora Barth. Her childhood dream of becoming a Catholic nun was all but forgotten once she was introduced to Bill. For his part, Bill knew he had found the one woman with whom he wanted to have a family and spend the rest of his life. They married in 1953.
In 1963, the family moved to Southborough, where the Stapleton family was well known and Marianne played an active role in the lives of her children and in the school community. Marianne was at various times Pack mother, sports booster, volunteer for all seasons, chaperone and car pooler. If her children were involved, she was ready, willing and able to provide support. One of Marianne’s lasting legacies was creating a home full of love and laughter, where all were welcome and many of her children’s friends were often found.
As a young mother, Marianne enjoyed regional success as an amateur 10 pin bowler, shifting to ceramics and crafts once her arthritis no longer allowed her to enjoy the game.
Marianne’s true calling was to be a mother, and she devoted her life to her family. She was the loving and supportive mother to William L Stapleton Jr and his wife Kristin of Southborough; Laura Lee Stapleton and her husband Kirk McPherson of Old Lyme, CT; Linda L Derosier and her husband Jay of Shrewsbury; Leslie A. Tasse and her husband John of Ballston Spa, NY; Lisa M. Stapleton of Boxford; Lorraine A. Charman and her husband John of Atlanta, GA/Bermuda and William Colon of Uxbridge; adoring grandmother to Lindsey and Taylor Stapleton, Alexandra Pilla, Duncan and Alison McPherson, Amanda (Derosier) Cazares and her husband Rafael, Ashlyn Derosier, Christopher Tasse and his wife Sandy, Benjamin Tasse and his wife Julie, William and Rainor Stapleton, Olivia Charman; and finally, blessed great grandmother to Camryn, Carter, Miranda, Ayrton and Luke.
Marianne will long be remembered for her vitality, competence and sense of humor, all of which shone through to the end.
Visiting hours will be held Saturday, April 14 from 1 to 4 PM at the Morris Funeral Home, 40 Main Street, Southborough. Funeral and interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be sent in her memory to Susan G. Komen/Breast Cancer, Dept 41831, Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265, ww5.komen.org
To leave words of condolence to the family, please visit Morrisfuneralparlor.com
(Obituary via Morris Funeral Home)
