Marion Neslage Gerome (1947-2024)

Friends from the Class of 1965, I am sharing with you news about our classmate, Marion Rita Neslage Gerome of Denver, CO. Marion passed away peacefully at home on August 6th, 2024.

Marion was born in Pampa, TX to Fred and Dorothy Neslage on July 14th, 1947. Marion was the middle child of eleven children, seven boys and four girls. Growing up as part of a big family in a small town, the Neslages were well known in the community and the Catholic Church, and all were involved in Scouting. Marion earned her Curved Bar as a Girl Scout, the highest award at that time. She went to Pampa High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, and she graduated in 1965. Marion made her way to Denver to attend what was an all-female Catholic college, Loretto Heights. She went on to double major with Bachelors’ degrees in Elementary Education, grades K-6 and Special Education, grades K-12. She worked as a schoolteacher for over 25 years, starting out at Notre Dame Elementary in Denver. She went on to teach in both Aurora Public Schools and Littleton Public Schools.

Marion had two daughters during her first marriage, Jennifer, and Amy. Divorced at 30, Marion worked hard as a single mom to provide for her children on a teacher’s salary. She was an example of determination, and always made life fun for her girls. Her husband Jerry Gerome was the love of her life. Having taught Jerry’s oldest daughter Tracy in the second grade, it was Tracy who ran to Marion in a Target parking lot years later, where Marion met Jerry again and learned he was also divorced. The two soon started dating and married in 1984. Jerry had three children, Tracy, Lisa, and Ryan. The blended family offered a good mix of laughter, joy, and chaos. Marion and Jerry were together almost 30 years when Jerry passed away in 2012.

Marion and Jerry loved to entertain with food, drink, music, and a dose of silly. In addition to hosting parties with friends and clients, they regularly opened their home to many teenagers. Forever known as the cool parents, they always made a point to get to know their children’s friends and offer help or advice. The Gerome house was a safe space for anyone to relax and feel welcome, to laugh, and to feel important.

Marion was best known for her sense of humor and light-hearted spirit. She was always joking, smiling, and loved spending time with people of all ages. Marion had a number of medical complications throughout her life; from a severe car accident in college, to arthritis, to breast cancer, to infections, it is a lengthy list that includes eighteen surgeries. Marion faced all challenges with remarkable strength, courage, and determination, never losing her sense of humor or positive attitude.

Marion is survived by her daughters Jennifer and Amy, and her stepdaughter Lisa, eight grandchildren, six siblings and over forty nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Jerry, her stepchildren Tracy and Ryan, her parents, four siblings and her dog Luigi.

Memorial donations may be made to St Jude, the American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank the amazing network of care givers, nurses and doctors who saved Marion’s life a number of times, aided in her recoveries and who kept her comfortable and happy in her final years. These workers are life’s true heroes.

Marion’s service will be Livestreamed, but the link is pending. Look at the website URL to find out when details are posted.

[https://obits.cfcscolorado.org/obituary/marion-neslage-gerome]

[https://obits.cfcscolorado.org/obituary/marion-neslage-gerome]