STATEN ISLAND – Marion Ventosa, lifelong resident of Randall Manor, Staten Island, passed away on December 18, 2020 at age 99. Marion was born in 1921, daughter of John and Josephine Ventosa, and sister to John J. Ventosa. She attended Sacred Heart Elementary School and Notre Dame Academy High School. Marion was an accomplished pianist and began her training at a young age. She received a bachelor of music degree from The Juilliard School and a masters in education from The Teachers College, Columbia University. After receiving her degrees, Marion went on to teach kindergarten at Public School 16, where she brought her love of music to the classroom, often playing piano for her students. She was a beloved teacher for forty years and made a lasting impact on generations of students, many of whom would stop her around town years later to say hello and share fond memories of her classroom.
A great patron of the arts, Marion never missed a performance at Lincoln Center. She was a member of the New York City Ballet, the New York Philharmonic, and the Metropolitan Opera, and frequented many of the great art museums in New York. Marion inspired a love of music and the arts in many of her nieces, nephews, as well as her grandnieces and grandnephews. She was as enthusiastic about a professional performance as she was about student performances by her relatives.
Marion had a very close circle of friends, some of whom she had known since grammar school. When they were not traveling into Manhattan for a performance at Lincoln Center, they were dining out at her favorite restaurants. Marion also loved to travel, to entertain friends and family at home, and to garden at the home she grew up in.
She was a devoted sister to her brother, John, and his wife, Claire, and a loving aunt to his children, Terese (pre deceased), John, Paul, Stephen, Ann and Melissa, and his ten grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial services for Marion are postponed due to the pandemic and will be held when it is safe to gather. Donations in her name can be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga Springs, by phone: (518) 482-4433 or by mail: Make checks payable to The Community Hospice and send to: The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hans Funeral Home, Albany. To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
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Sandy Babb
So very sorry for your loss.
Maria Hartman
Aunt Marion, was a lovely, refined woman who introduced me along with my childhood friend Terese to the magic of the New York City ballet scene in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Accompanying Aunt Marion to Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and New York City Center was a highlight of my early years and opened my eyes to a larger world of beauty and culture. Through Aunt Marion, Terese and I were witness to the finest performances of some of the most famous dancers of our time including Kirkland, Makarova, Nureyev and Baryshnikov. Thank you Aunt Marion for all you helped me learn and grow!
Ann Somma Terjesen
To the Ventosa Family,
It was an honor and a privilege to have known and worked with your Aunt Marion for many years at PS 16. She was the ultimate Kindergarten teacher and a most beautiful , kind and loving individual.I remember our family vacation at the houses at Lake Sacandaga with such warm , fun and terrific memories.My love, sympathy and prayers to each of you .She was so proud of all of you and loved you dearly.May your memories bring you peace and comfort at this time. May she Rest In Peace.
Affectionately, Ann Terjesen
Eileen Teitler Greenspun
It was my privilege to work with Marion at PS16 many years ago. She was a consumate professional who cared deeply about helping her kindergarten children to grow intellectually and as citizens of the world. She would often play the piano in her classroom, and was a model to novice teachers. My condolences to family and friends.
Dolores Folino-Strand
I read about her passing in the Staten Island newspaper. After almost 70 years my memories of this beautiful, loving lady remain vivid in my mind. She was my kindergarten teacher. As a very young child she awed me daily. As she sat and played the big black piano she would take away all my fears of leaving my mom to attend school. I remember her happy smile and caring heart. I am happy to learn she lived a long and fulfilled life. May she Rest In Peace in the arms of our Lord JESUS.
Anne Marie (Rogan) Maresca
I am very sorry for your loss – Marion was a wonderful lady and a great friend to my Aunt Rita. I was blessed to know her. I can remember them and Anne Damereau going to museums and performances together (with Pat Kenney in earlier days). I used to laugh because Marion was their ‘new’ friend – they met her around 8th grade instead of 1st. Now they’re all be together again. Take care and know that you’re in my prayers.
Marilyn Gillen
Miss Ventosa was my kindergarten teacher @ PS 39. We moved to the north shore Of Staten island when I started high school. I lived east of her and would walk past her home to get to my friend’s home west of her home. At times I would see her in her garden. That was 50 plus years ago I never forgot her. Yesterday the son of a mutual friend who attended Sacred Heart elementary and Notre Dame Academy with Miss Ventosa and worship @ Sacred Heart until her death. telephoned me in Florida to tell me of her passing I am in awe she was a Julliard and Columbia grad. Ironically a friend from Kindergarten through high school sent me a copy of the obit from the SI newspaper. We met in 1951 i Miss Ventosa’s class. …. To the family please accept my condolences on your loss.
Julia Hertman Willecke
I knew Marion when she and I were teachers at PS 16. She was the most gentle and kind hearted woman I have ever worked with. Plus she was a top notch educator. She always had a charming smile and all her students and colleagues loved her. My deepest sympathies to her family.
Nicki DIGrazia Wolfersberger
I am so sorry for your loss. Marion was very kind & welcoming to my family when we moved to 97 Walbrooke Avenue 28 years ago. She loved watching them play & loved that they went to the same grammar school & loved that we attended Mass every Sunday. We will miss her. God Bless You.
Ellen Kriegsman- Welley
Hi John and Claire,
I was very sad to hear about Marion’s passing.
She was such a wonderful friend to my Mom, Selma Kriegsman for so many years. They shared such wonderful times in the city going to ballet, opera and symphony, but their relationship dated back to PS 16.
As my mother always said’ Marion was a true lady and a wonderful friend.”
Sending my condolences,
Ellen Kriegsman- Welley