Marianne Beckett

It is with great sorrow and much love that the family of Marianne Ondocin Beckett announce  her peaceful passing at home on November 25, 2024.  

She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Diana Reilly (Michelle Richard);  granddaughters Grace Ondocin Seeley and Nora Ondocin Richard; brothers Phil (Sharon)  Ondocin and David (Dina) Ondocin; nine nieces, nephews and their families; as well as many  friends around the world. 

Marianne was predeceased by her second husband (Thomas Beckett); brother (Joseph  Ondocin); son (John Christopher Reilly) and her parents (Joseph and Anne Ondocin). 

Marianne was born in Brooklyn, NY on 8/15/1935. She loved to read and excelled at school,  which led her, as a young woman, to work at Merrill Lynch in Manhattan in the 1950’s.  Marianne later married and enjoyed raising her two children in the beach town of Northport,  NY. Working part-time for Senator Bernie Smith in the 1970’s, Marianne managed to also be a  Girl Scout leader (teaching the girls to tie-dye and sing African songs) and to open her home to  her teen son’s garage band. As a single Mom, Marianne was devoted to sharing art, poetry and  ballet with her children, often spending time in NYC at museums, libraries and Lincoln Center. 

As Marianne’s youngest went off to college, she created a new life and career in Washington,  D.C. She worked in many embassies in Europe, Central and South America as well as at the  U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Marianne volunteered at a church soup kitchen for all of  her years in NYC. Her love of travel for pleasure and work led her to visit over 30 countries,  generating many wonderful friendships and memories with family. Egypt, Morocco, Prague and  China were particular highlights. 

Retirement in the Bradenton/Sarasota area of Florida was well deserved. She enjoyed the  beach and cultural life, as well as being a proud founding member of the Christ Church of  Longboat Key, Presbyterian. Marianne married Thomas Beckett in 2004 and they enjoyed nine  years together, including a memorable trip to Russia and riverboat cruises throughout Europe,  before his death in 2013. Cherished events in her annual calendar included Christmas in  Vermont and a vacation on Martha’s Vineyard with her extended family and sweet  granddaughters. 

In 2019 she moved to The Terraces in Shelburne, Vermont to be near her loving family.  Marianne wrote essays in her spare time and published poetry earlier in her life. Marianne was  an avid fan of the New York Times crossword, Jeopardy and treats with whipped cream. She  recently moved to Assisted Living at The Residence at Shelburne Bay and her family is  especially grateful for the assistance and kindness of Todd Patterson there. 

Marianne was known for being funny, adventurous, a great Mother, telling a good story and for  her intelligence. She was loving, loyal, stylish and always up for a laugh. Marianne was a role  model to many girls and young women, being generous with her resources and time.  

There will be a service and Celebration of her Life in the Springtime. In lieu of flowers, please  consider a donation in her name to Mercy Connections, 255 South Champlain St., #8,  Burlington, VT 05401, (802) 846-7063. 

Marianne would ask that you celebrate her by taking a friend or loved one to lunch. Share a  laugh and a big hug in her honor.