Obituary of Marion E. Rich

Marion E. Rich passed away peacefully after an extended illness on Wednesday morning, December 26, 2018.  She was 88 years old. Marion was born in Newton, the daughter of James and Anna Quinlan.  She grew up in Newton and was a 1948 graduate of Newton North High School.  She met her future husband, Robert Rich, when they were in 6^th grade and were childhood friends long before they started dating in High School.  They were married in 1949.  They started their married life together living in Newton.  In 1957 they bought their first house on Foster Road in Burlington and later moved to Lexington Street in 1987.  She was a stay at home mother for her two children.  When they were all settled in school, she went to work as a clerk in the Town of Burlington’s Selectmen’s Office.  She loved being actively involved in the town and seeing so many of the residents that visited the town hall on a daily basis.  She retired after 15 years with the Town of Burlington.

Marion was strong, independent, and knowledgeable woman who was deeply devoted to her family.  She was blessed to share 48 years of marital bliss with her husband, Robert, before his sudden passing in 1997.  They raised their children, maintained their home, and in the early years spent time at their second home on Jenkins Pond, Falmouth.  They also enjoyed summer vacations at Hamilton Beach, Wareham with her brother Paul and sister-in-law and dear friend Mary Jane.  She loved her winter vacations with friends at Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida. 

As a mother, she was nurturing, protective, and always instilling strong values upon her son and daughter.  As a grandmother, she was engaging, fun, and was always deeply interested in all their activities and interests.    She enjoyed working around her home and tending to her yard and flower gardens. Marion was a voracious reader and was known to finish a book in a day.  From her extensive reading and watching Fox News, she was well versed on local, national, and international politics and events and almost any other topic that might pop up during a discussion.  She was fortunate to have that sharpness right up to her passing.  She loved animals and enjoyed all the birds and wildlife that passed through her yard.  She had a warm and welcoming persona and had a wonderful circle of friends that included family, friends, and neighbors. After 60 years in Burlington, she spent the last year at the Arbors in Stoneham where she made great new friends.  In her final days, she was not afraid of her eventual passing, but thankful to all those in her life, present and past, for the love and friendship she had shared with them during her 88 years.

Marion was the beloved wife of the late Robert H.  Rich. She was the loving mother of Robert H. Rich, Jr. & his companion Mary Rogers of Framingham and Deborah A. Torto & her husband Jeffrey of Melrose.  She was the proud grandmother of Rebecca Fishback, Rachael Thompson, Pamela Ferrera, Frank & Debi Rich and Samantha & Casey Torto.  She was also survived by 12 great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and friends.  She was the only girl of five children including the late James, Robert and Paul Quinlan and is survived by her youngest brother, Stephen Quinlan, of Naples, Florida.

 A visitation will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Saturday, Dec. 29 from 9 – 10:30 a.m.  Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Malachy Church, 99 Bedford St., Burlington at 11 a.m.  Burial to follow in Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington.   Memorials in Marion’s name may be made to People Helping People, PO Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803. For directions, obituary & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net & www.saint-malachy.org