Marion E. Pitkin

Marion was born in the Bronx, NY on May 13th 1937 to the late Max and Anna (Liff) Cobert.  She attended NYC public schools and due to her academic gifts, graduated Taft High School at the age of 16. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College by the age of 19 and held her first teaching job in the Bronx.  She was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honors society.

She married Stanley Pitkin in 1957 and they moved to Pittsfield Massachusetts in 1959 where she lived for the next 25 years and raised her two daughters.  Marion's family were members of Temple Anshe Amunim where she taught pre-school for many years.  She loved working with children and made a lasting impression on her students.

A job transfer brought Stan and Marion to Wrentham Massachusetts in 1986 where they both lived until Stan’s death in 2002.   The couple purchased a vacation/retirement home in Delray Beach FL where they had started to spend their winters.  Marion lived her last eight years at the Highlands independent living community in Westborough Ma. where she was one of   its earliest residents.

Marion was a creative and artistic soul who dabbled in watercolors, jewelry making and photo collages.  Always a great fan and owner of cats, her collection of miniature cats numbered in the hundreds which she enjoyed acquiring and displaying in her home.

Marion was a great cook and hosted traditional Jewish holiday meals for her extended family.  Her legendary crustless quiche and chocolate rum balls have been passed down to the next generations.

Even as her body began to fail, her mind remained sharp.  Marion loved intellectual challenges such as crosswords, puzzles and never missed her favorite show Jeopardy.  At the Highlands she loved her book group, creative writing and art classes.  She even became known for telling jokes at dinner.  Later she did a standup comedy routine at the annual talent show.  She would collect jokes daily so she would have fresh material.

 She enjoyed visiting with, emailing and calling her four grandchildren.  She was extremely proud of their accomplishments and always commented how they had good genes thanks in some part to her.  She never forgot an anniversary, birthday or holiday card and gift for all the members of her extended family and close friends.

She is survived by her daughters, Lauren Smith (Bradford) of Westborough MA and Barbara Crooke (Robert) of Underwood WA, her grandchildren Joshua Smith (Tiffany), Johanna Smith, Rachael Crooke (Emiliano) and Alyssa Crooke (Robert), sister-in-law Florence Pitkin, and a niece and nephews.  In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sister Phyllis Fogel. 

Marion passed away peacefully Friday October 1st surrounded by family.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dakin Humane Society, 171 Union Street, Springfield, MA 01105.

A private graveside service will be held at Wellwood Cemetery, W. Babylon, NY