Marie E. Fontini, 55, died April 20, 2021 after a recent diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer. She is dearly missed by her wife and partner of 17 years, Regan Schoeler, and their nearly 3 year-old son Elliot Fontini Schoeler.
Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Rita Meehan Fontini. She grew up in Olyphant, PA, and lived most of her young adult life in Reading and Philadelphia, PA. Marie and her wife have lived together in Ithaca, NY, Asheville, NC, Warrington, PA, Accokeek, MD, and for the last 10 years they have resided in Alexandria, VA.
Marie always found unique jobs in small, local businesses of which she took great pride. She managed an independent natural foods store in Philadelphia, managed a natural food co-op in Ithaca, was an operations manager for a local water company in Asheville, and held various roles at a local florist in Alexandria. For the past several years, she's held her favorite role of all as a full-time mother of her son Elliot.
Marie was a proud vegetarian of over 25 years, yet she learned to cook meat for her wife and son. She loved camping, hiking, and sitting around a fire. She was an advocate for causes such as racial and environmental justice and LGBTQIA rights. She reveled in a good snow storm. She loved music and sang in a beautiful soprano. Marie made friends easily, but she wasn't a "people pleaser." She was loyal, fierce, and protective of her friends and family. She carved her own, unique, independent path in this world.
Marie read 20 books a day to her son. She sat on the floor and built blocks with him for hours. She taught him how to vacuum, how to use tools, how to climb stairs, do puzzles, and taught him numbers, letters, and practiced sign language with him. She shared her love of trains, plants, and long walks. She also modeled compassion, empathy, forgiveness, and love.
Holding Marie in light and love are her brothers and sisters, Michael Fontini and wife Jen, Joann Taylor and husband Michael, James Fontini and wife Sherry, Mark Fontini and wife Patti, Christine Miller and husband Robert, Anthony Fontini and wife Jenny, her father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Suzanne Schoeler, and aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many dear friends.
Marie's natural burial and celebration of life are Saturday April 24, 11 am, at High Acres Natural Burial Cemetery, Canadensis, PA. Arrangements are under the care and direction of James M. Margotta Funeral Home.
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