Nancy Lee Marlier

Our mom died today. Nancy Lee Marlier, the youngest of 14 children of Michael and Marie Zeck from Salem, Ohio passed away April 7th. She was 84. There was no one like her.

She and our father, Mike Marlier met and were married in 1956. Here’s where it gets good…..

In quick succession, they welcomed Mike, Tracey, Amy, Kelley, and Greg into the fold between 1958 and 1964, while residing in Detroit, Canton, Sandusky, Dayton, and Sandusky again. Dad’s career in radio and television had us traveling a little. Mom settled into the role of motherhood with ease and grace, and was always there to change a diaper, wipe a runny nose, or bandage a cut, and man, could she cook and bake. Once we were in school, she was a willing chauffeur while all three daughters went to ballet lessons and recitals, Girl Scout meetings, and I and my brother Greg, was wrapped up in band rehearsals and concerts. Mom also was always happy to see our school friends.

In 1973 we moved to Bay Village, Ohio. New schools, new friends. Amy had Jennifer in 1979, and mom cherished her new role as Grandma. She and Jennifer had many happy adventures together. That role expanded over the years with the arrivals of Ryan, Brittany, Drew, Milena, Lucas, and Avery. Mom and dad had great friends and that period was chock full of cookouts, hanging with neighbors, and lots of social gatherings.

Everything changed on June 24, 1992. The doctors thought dad, at first, had a cough, then laryngitis, then pneumonia….before ultimately being diagnosed with cancer. When he passed, mom’s heart was irrevocably shattered. While she tried at times to move on and recover, it’s safe to say she never really did. She said goodbye to the house she and dad had just finished building and moved to Denver. She enjoyed spending time with Brittany, Milena and me, had a bunch of friends, but was still heartbroken. After some years, she moved to Tucson, Arizona. This time was marked by wonderful trips to mom’s for Thanksgiving. So much fun. She was miserable.

Ultimately, she wanted to be back in Ohio. She came back to Ohio, and began her first experience with assisted living, which is where she lived out the rest of her time. Tracey and Kelley did amazing work with mom to try to keep her engaged and vital, but fate had scripted a different ending.

Mom and dad are together again, just like the beginning of this tribute, and mom is happier than she’s been in a long time.

We love you forever, mom.