NORWICH – Marion A. Reiss, 73, of Norwich, passed away early Saturday morning, Aug. 1, 2009, in the Chenango Memorial Hospital.
The first part of Marion’s life was in Minneapolis, Minn., where she was born in March of 1936, the daughter of Anthony and Michaelina Miedsczuski Stylski. She spent her early years in Minneapolis, but began the second segment other life when the family moved to Long Island. There she finished school and met her husband, Gerard J. Reiss Sr., whom she married on June 4, 1955. Together, she and Gerry were considered “poster people for a good marriage,” and she became a devoted mother and grandmother as the years went on.
In 1975, Marion began the third segment of her life when the Reiss family moved to Oxford. A devout Catholic, Marion taught Sunday school at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. She always thought of others before herself, and loved doing nice things for the priests and nuns of the local Catholic community. For a time she worked in the Oxford school cafeteria where her name became synonymous with the word “fudge,” since Marion had a bit of a reputation for the quality of her sweet confections which she shared with family and friends. She was also known to be a good cook, her specialty being pot roast. She enjoyed making candy at Easter, and had made and given to her family several ceramic crèches. A big Mets fan who loved watching the games, Marion liked to pick on her good friend Jean who is a Yankees fan. In 1987, Marion began the fourth segment of her life when she and her family moved to Norwich, where she remained until her passing.
Marion is survived by her husband, Gerard Reiss Sr. of Norwich; by her children and their spouses: Gerard and Leslie Reiss Jr. of Oxford, Anthony E. and Karen Reiss of Ohio, Matthew and Tammy Reiss of Unadilla, Peggy and Harry Swartwood of Norwich, Mary Bern and Christopher Roberts of California, and Paul “the favorite” Reiss of North Carolina; and by her sister, Antoinette Check of Long Island. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Kellie, Michael and wife Cary, Jessica, Kyle, Anthony II, and Danielle Reiss; Janice and Lisa Swartwood, Hannah and Emma Roberts, and Stephanie and Tyler Reiss; her great grandchildren: Kyle, Morgann, Sarah, Noah, and Emmalee Reiss; and nieces, nephews, and cousins. Marion was predeceased by her brothers, John, Stan and Casimir Stylski.
A Mass of Resurrection for Marion will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday from St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Norwich. The Rev. Thomas Ward, pastor of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church of Oxford and the Immaculate Conception Church of Greene, will officiate. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery of Oxford. There will he no calling hours.
Please consider contributions to St. Paul’s Church, 30 Pleasant St., Norwich, NY 13815; or to Father H. Patrick Isaac, c/o St. Joseph’s Church, Oxford, NY 13830.
Arrangements are by the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home.