Marion Louise Nemer

Marion Louise Nemer (nee Alexander) passed peacefully on April 5th, reuniting with parents Charles (“Kelly”) and Mae (nee Essad) Alexander, sister Betty (Joyce), brother Lou, numerous cherished relatives, in-laws and friends, and most especially the love of her life, Robert (“Bob”) George Nemer.

Marion was born in Youngstown, OH, on September 6th. 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 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 bull ring 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- travelling Europe, Australia and Alaska, seeing the US by car, social outings 5 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.

Private family service. Donations in Marion’s name may be made to: Our Lady of Cedars Maronite Church (507 S Cleveland Massillon Rd. Fairlawn OH 44333), Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (1905 Portage Trail Cuyahoga Falls OH 44223) or St. Jude Children’s 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.

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