Linda Gleason's Mother Marion Walsh Passes Away

Marion Cioffi (Smith) Walsh
1926 - 2008

St. Albans - Marion Cioffi (Smith) Walsh, R.N. died Thursday morning, April 3, 2008, with her dear sister-in-law, Therese, by her side.

Marion was born in St. Albans on April 2, 1926, the daughter of the late George A. Cioffi and Rose Maffeo Cioffi. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1944, and from the Bishop DeGosbriand School of Nursing in 1947. As a registered nurse she did polio work in North Carolina, New York and Illinois.

During this time she met her first husband, Dr. Loran E. Smith. Together, they opened Dr. Smith’s first pediatric practice in San Jose, California. Following his death in 1953, Marion returned to St. Albans and continued her work as an Operating Room Nurse at the St. Albans Hospital, Kerbs Memorial Hospital, and the Northwestern Medical Center until her retirement in 1986. There, she had the opportunity of working with another nurse who she greatly admired, another dear sister-in-law Nancy Cioffi. She continued her hospital association by volunteering at the NMC until late last year. It was Marion’s second nature to take care of others.

Marion married her long-time friend and former classmate Robert M. Walsh on July 18, 1986. They enjoyed traveling, especially to Las Vegas and on cruises, and loved entertaining family and friends in their home. Robert predeceased her in February 2003.

When anyone stepped into Marion’s house, whether family members or strangers, she welcomed them. “Mimi” loved cooking and being surrounded by family, especially her many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She taught all of us the value of family - from continuing family traditions like hand-making ravioli for Christmas, to the importance of family ties. Marion showed us every day that spending time with your family should be your priority, and she especially made holidays and birthdays special for everyone. She was happiest when doing something for her family or friends.

Marion was an avid reader and bridge player. She enjoyed afternoons at the Legion and with her bridge club. She was a member of St. Mary’s Church, the Autonoe Club, Catholic Daughters of America, the BPO Elks, USA (Ladies of the Elks), and the American Legion Auxillary.

With her she takes cherished memories of many wonderful moments shared with loved ones, including many good times spent with her two loving sisters Celia Paquin and her husband Burton of Swanton and Gertrude Villella, of Malden, Massachusetts,and her three beloved brothers William G. Cioffi and his wife Therese, and Robert A. Cioffi and his wife Nancy, all of St. Albans. Marion’s parents Rose and George predeceased her, as did her brother Franklin J. Cioffi.

Survivors also include: two daughters anda very caring son-in-law, four stepsons and 12 grandchildren, who will greatly miss her: daughters Linda Gleason and her husband Daniel of Fairfax and Lauren Baker of Stuart FL; stepsons; Joseph Walsh and his wife Diane of New Fairfield, CT, James Walsh and his wife Dale of St. Albans, John Walsh and his wife Karen and Jeffrey Walsh and his partner Lori Disher all of Port Charlotte, FL, 12 devoted grandchildren, Richard Stahl, Christopher and Lindsey Gleason, Christopher, Julie, Michelle, Nicholas, Jackson, Joseph, Amanda, Megan and Preston Walsh. Cherished friend and sister-in-law Eleanor O’Brien of St. Albans, three brothers-in-law, Thomas Walsh and his wife Patty of St. Albans, William Walsh and his wife Judy of St. Albans and Maurice Walsh and his wife Barbara of Burlington. Her many dear nieces and nephews are too numerous to mention by name.

Two brothers-in-law predeceased her , Gerald O’Brien in 1990 and Donald Villella in 2002, and son-in-law John Baker in 2004

The family wishes to thank the nurses, hospitalists, and all other staff at the Northwestern Medical Center, the family of caregivers at the Franklin County Rehab Center for their hours of kindness, support and heartfelt care, as well as her friends and relatives who showered her with love.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Megan E. Patenaude Memorial Fund, c/o the People’s Trust Company, P.O. Box 320, St. Albans, VT., the Franklin County Home Health Agency, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT., or the Palliative Care (in care of Olivia Weed) at Northwestern Medical Center, Fairfield St., St. Albans, VT.

“Mimi’s” family wishes to express their gratitude to her for being more than just a mother, a sister, an aunt, an in-law, and a grandmother- she was a friend to all of us as well.!!

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, April 12, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. in St. Mary’s Church. Friends may call at the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., from 4 to 7 P.M. Friday. Online condolences may be sent to the family by the funeral home website: www.bnlfh.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brady & Levesque Funeral Home and Commemorative Services.