November 1, 1938 – January 28, 2017
Our beloved ‘Baba’ Marianne passed away in her sleep at the age of 78, after a two-year battle with thymoma cancer. Friends, loved ones, and acquaintances have showered the family with words of what an inspiration she was – always happy, funny, and positive; a strong lady with the brightest spirit. She was a woman of substance, grace, stubbornness, and generosity – completely beautiful inside and out. She made each person feel that she was their best friend.
Born in Albany, CA, Marianne “Mave” Newell grew up in Richmond, CA alongside her 6 brothers and sisters. After high school, she traveled to New York City to study at secretarial school. She then spent a year traveling and working throughout Europe, while making connections with her family roots in Croatia.
Returning home, she established a job with Trader Vic’s in Berkeley until she met her future husband, Richard Carroll, at a dance. They married and raised a family in Fairfield before moving up to Genesee, ID, where she remained for 26 years, creating a new circle of close friends. Marianne established a career at Student Health Services at the University of Idaho, which carried her through to retirement. Then, after the birth of a new granddaughter, she followed her daughter to West Seattle, encompassing herself with yet another group of devoted buddies; including her cherished tennis group.
After retirement, Marianne developed a love of traveling and could be found on cruise ships, hiking the world, and popping down to California to visit friends and family. A constant love was the game of tennis which she would play as much as possible, even during her chemo treatments. Her greatest passion, however, was her grandchildren. She would surround herself with them whenever possible and always made time for bus rides, play dates, sleepovers, and special days. She was in her element whenever the neighborhood or school children (or adults!) would call her ‘Baba’ – the Croatian word for grandma.
Marianne was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her mother and ‘pop’ Mollie and Nick Vojvoda, her sister Cathy, and most recently her brother Johnny. She is survived by her brother Jack; sisters Nadine (Dinka), Judith (Judg), and Dyanne; her children: Robin Spencer & husband Billy, Shaun Carroll, and Erin Pedras & husband David. But the most important: her grandchildren Jarod & Joshua Teichmer; Sofia, Maria, & Anna Pedras; and her great grandchildren Olyvia, Harley, Trace, & Charlie Teichmer. She is sorely missed by them all.
In lieu of flowers or gifts, Mom had asked that you select a special charity of your own and make a donation in her name. “If love could have saved Marianne, she would still be alive today.”
A funeral service will be held on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in West Seattle. Reception immediately following.
Published in the West Seattle Herald section of the Westside Weekly, February 10, 2017.
