Obituary of Frances P Marra

Frances Page (Pratt) Marra of Lakewood, NY and Aiken, SC passed away peacefully on July 24, 2016 in Aiken, SC with members of her family at her side. She was born on July 14, 1933 to Cleveland F. and Martha Newton Pratt in Brooklyn, NY. As the daughter of an officer in the US Navy, she spent her early childhood years in navy towns like Brooklyn, NY and Charleston, SC before settling with her family in Freeport, NY on Long Island's south shore. After graduating from Freeport High School in 1951, she attended Endicott Junior College in Beverly, Massachusetts. Her education and career were put on hold by her ensuing marriage and to raise her active family. She proudly returned to college after her boys were grown and graduated from Jamestown Community College in 1982. Frances married S. Ralph Marra in 1954 and together they raised FIVE sons. Fran and Ralph started their marriage and family in Levittown, NY before moving back to her childhood home in Freeport a few years later. In 1967 they relocated to Lakewood, NY in order for Ralph to pursue a career opportunity as principal of the newly opened Southwestern Middle School, and to provide their boys the opportunity to grow up in the nurturing environment they found in Western NY. Fran was a Legal Secretary at the Law Firm of Bassin & Cordes in New York City for a short time after leaving Endicott, before her marriage and her life's passion as a stay at home mom to five boys began. The countless trips ferrying her boys to practices and games, sandwiched between loads of laundry, cooking meals, helping with homework, and otherwise trying to maintain order in such an active household is a gift she gave that can never be fully appreciated or repaid. Somewhat ironically, in 1971 when her youngest son reached a suitable age, she helped start A Children's Place Day Care Center at First Presbyterian Church in Jamestown, NY. After raising five of her own she spent 15 years at A Children's Place helping raise hundreds of other Jamestown area children. She was proud to retire in 1986 as the beloved Assistant Director. In spite of the demands placed on a mother of five boys, Fran was a dedicated volunteer and had an impact throughout her community. She served as an officer in the Lakewood Elementary PTO, the Southwestern Central School Sports Boosters, the Jamestown Concert Association, the Lakewood Women's Club, the Lakewood Memorial Library, and the United Way. She was a Board Member and Chairman of both the Chautauqua Blind Association and the Joint Neighborhood Project (JNP). On two occasions, she served as the Acting Director of the JNP. Fran was recognized for her volunteer work in 1997, when she was presented the Axel W. Carlson Award by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Her formal volunteer work was only matched by the countless people she mentored and helped in other informal ways. She was a servant who went underappreciated and yet gave willingly of all she had to give. She continued her volunteer work after relocating to Aiken, SC through numerous activities such as serving as a volunteer tax preparer for the AARP Tax Counseling Program. She was an active member of Aiken's WOW (Wonderful Outrageous Woman) Chapter. Fran is survived by her five sons: Jerry Marra (Barb) of Middleton, WI, Dr. Robert Marra (Jane) of Pittsburgh, PA, Thomas Marra (Michelle) of Mystic, CT/Delray Beach, FL, Dr. John Marra (Lisa) and Dr. James Marra (Sharon) both of Aiken, SC. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren: Kelly (David) Cwiertny of Iowa City, IA, Kenneth Marra of Charlotte, NC, Peter C. Marra of Middleton, WI, Annie Marra and Jackie Marra both of Boston, MA, Caroline Marra, Jeffrey Marra, Andrew Marra, and Christina Marra all of Pittsburgh, PA, Patti (Josh) Boerstler of Columbus, OH, Madison Marra of Mystic, CT and Peter J. Marra and Brian Marra both of Aiken, SC. She was blessed with 2 great-grandchildren, Gabby and Nate Cwiertny of Iowa City, IA. Fran is also survived by her brother Cleve Pratt (Delores) of San Antonio, TX, numerous nieces and nephews and by a list of friends that is almost endless. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. A memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, August 6, 2016, in the St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Rev. Luke F. Foder, Rector will officiate. A private interment will take place in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. Friday, August 5, 2016, in the Lind Funeral Home and will also continue to celebrate Fran's life with a gathering of family and friends at 228 W. Summit Ave. Lakewood, NY, commencing at 12:00 (noon) Saturday, August 6th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the S. Ralph and Frances P. Marra Scholarship Fund c/o the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St. Jamestown, NY 14701 or to the charity of your choice.