Marsha Ellen Warren, 69, of Charlestown, RI, passed away at Westerly Hospital, on Thursday, January 21, 2021, after a long battle with COPD and congestive heart failure. She was the beloved wife of Wayne Warren for 27 years.
Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Phyllis Meek.
Besides her husband, Marsha is survived by her loving children, her daughter, Gwendolyn Doherty, and her son, Alexander Holzinger (Allison), her cherished grandchildren, Jacob Warren Doherty, Alexander Holzinger, Anna Holzinger, Abigail Holzinger, Sean Holzinger, and Jane Ellen Holzinger. Marsha is also survived by her loving siblings, sisters Carolyn Pendegraph and Janice (Jim) Griffin, and her brother, David Meek (Deb). She also is survived by nieces, Valerie (Jim) and Alexandra (Sean), a nephew, David (Nina) and grandniece Katharine and grandnephew Cameron.
Marsha was a Rhode Islander, born and raised. She graduated from East Providence High School in 1970. She married right after high school (to Ronald Holzinger) moving to Texas and then to West Germany, where Ron was stationed while in the Army, and where Gwen was born.
Returning to the states, they settled in Burrillville. Marsha worked for Dupane Propane. She also had a job counting caterpillars, as an observer in a light plane flying over Rhode Island, looking for evidence of the damage done by gypsy moth caterpillars.
During the Blizzard of ‘78, Marsha was marooned at the Civic Center for four days, with five year-old Gwen and while 7 months pregnant with Alex, surviving on hot dogs donated by the Hot Dog Man. Marsha and Gwen were finally able to catch a ride home to Burrillville from a kind gentleman in a big 4X4.
In 1988, Marsha found a position with the Purchasing Department at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography (the Narragansett Bay Campus), where she first met Wayne, a research specialist. By this time Marsha and Ron had separated and were soon divorced.
Marsha moved to Charlestown from Burrillville, in 1989, as the long commute from Burrillville to the Bay Campus was just too much, for her and her little car (Smegley). She found a little stone house to rent, with Alex (Gwen was in college) and with their big hound/shepherd mix rescue dog, Bubba. It was shortly after that she began dating Wayne. Their ever-growing love for each other was immediately recognized by family and friends. Marsha and Wayne were happily married in the little stone house in 1993, by Justice of the Peace, Mr. Edgar Timothy, with Wayne’s late father, Todd Warren, in from California, signing as a witness.
Starting in the Purchasing Department, Marsha soon moved into a position as a Scientific Research Grant Assistant, supporting many Faculty. During her tenure at the Bay Campus, Marsha had the privilege of working for many of the Faculty and Marine Scientists, where she kept track of their research grant budgets (overhead, travel, purchases, staff and student payrolls) and worked closely with their graduate students.
Marsha was well liked by the students, as she was known to go out of her way to help ‘her’ graduate students, who often came to her with a variety of questions, both work-related and sometimes of a more personal nature (she had a very sympathetic ear).
The last 20 years or so at the Bay Campus, she worked part-time, as she had requested and obtained a change in her status from full to part-time, upon the birth of her first grandchild, Jacob, so she could be available to help her daughter Gwen and then husband, Tom. Although she worked only part-time, Marsha would often get calls after hours and on weekends from both the scientists and graduate students asking for help in solving a problem, be it travel, a purchase order or payroll question: She rarely said no.
It wasn’t always about work for Marsha. Marsha loved camping. Once a year, for at least two weeks, Marsha would go camping at Burlingame State Park. Her favorite location was in Fish Camp, site #114, right on Watchaug Pond. She especially enjoyed this activity with her oldest grandson, Jacob, who began living with Marsha and Wayne in 2007 (he’ll be graduating from URI, with a degree in Engineering this year). Marsha’s favorite relaxation spot was down at the waterline, sitting in a beach chair, book in lap (she was a voracious reader), cigarette in hand and a beverage in the cup-holder, bare toes wiggled into the sand.
She also loved music, especially country music. Marsha and Wayne attended several concerts by Lyle Lovett, and a few Rhythm and Roots Festivals, dancing under the big tent. Marsha had a few special musical loves: Emmylou Harris (saw her at Warwick Musical Theatre, before it closed), Arlo Guthrie (saw him at Lupo’s in the late ‘90’s (she bought a t-shirt, got a hug and a kiss from him after the show, when she asked him to sign his t-shirt); saw Arlo in Woonsocket a few years back, too. You knew it was Thanksgiving when she put on Arlo’s classic: “Alice’s Restaurant”).
Marsha retired after nearly 30 years at the Bay Campus: She said she wouldn’t miss the increasingly heavy workload, but that she would miss the people.
Marsha suffered from a variety of health problems over the years, starting with her back. She loved to ride on the back of Wayne’s Harley Davidson motorcycle when he first bought it, but her ever worsening back pain forced her to stop after just a few years.
She also battled more serious health problems that led to multiple surgeries. She also suffered from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a progressive lung disease that leads to reduced lung capacity and a reduced ability to simply breathe.
She rarely complained to her family or friends about the pain she suffered nor the ailments she had. It’s the reason why she seemed to lose contact with her many friends at the Bay Campus after her retirement: She didn’t want to burden them with her worsening health problems.
Marsha never asked why she suffered with these ailments, she just wanted to shield her family and friends from her problems. She was a private person and did not relish the spotlight being focused on her or her problems (nor the taking of photographs, being notoriously camera-shy), she wanted simply to be known as someone to offer help, and not ask for it.
Marsha had a wonderful sense of humor and always made us smile.
She loved Wayne, and she loved her family so very much.
We all miss her very much. But we take solace in knowing that she is looking down on us, sitting in a beach chair on the edge of the pond, with a book in her lap, perhaps a cigarette in hand, a beverage in the cupholder, wiggling her toes in the sand, and finally, just, relaxing.
Marsha’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and thanks to all the good and kind people in the Westerly Hospital ICU that were so kind and considerate to Marsha in her final days.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all services will be limited to the immediate family. A Celebration of Marsha’s Life will be planned for a later date.
Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Phyllis Meek.
Besides her husband, Marsha is survived by her loving children, her daughter, Gwendolyn Doherty, and her son, Alexander Holzinger (Allison), her cherished grandchildren, Jacob Warren Doherty, Alexander Holzinger, Anna Holzinger, Abigail Holzinger, Sean Holzinger, and Jane Ellen Holzinger. Marsha is also survived by her loving siblings, sisters Carolyn Pendegraph and Janice (Jim) Griffin, and her brother, David Meek (Deb). She also is survived by nieces, Valerie (Jim) and Alexandra (Sean), a nephew, David (Nina) and grandniece Katharine and grandnephew Cameron.
Marsha was a Rhode Islander, born and raised. She graduated from East Providence High School in 1970. She married right after high school (to Ronald Holzinger) moving to Texas and then to West Germany, where Ron was stationed while in the Army, and where Gwen was born.
Returning to the states, they settled in Burrillville. Marsha worked for Dupane Propane. She also had a job counting caterpillars, as an observer in a light plane flying over Rhode Island, looking for evidence of the damage done by gypsy moth caterpillars.
During the Blizzard of ‘78, Marsha was marooned at the Civic Center for four days, with five year-old Gwen and while 7 months pregnant with Alex, surviving on hot dogs donated by the Hot Dog Man. Marsha and Gwen were finally able to catch a ride home to Burrillville from a kind gentleman in a big 4X4.
In 1988, Marsha found a position with the Purchasing Department at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography (the Narragansett Bay Campus), where she first met Wayne, a research specialist. By this time Marsha and Ron had separated and were soon divorced.
Marsha moved to Charlestown from Burrillville, in 1989, as the long commute from Burrillville to the Bay Campus was just too much, for her and her little car (Smegley). She found a little stone house to rent, with Alex (Gwen was in college) and with their big hound/shepherd mix rescue dog, Bubba. It was shortly after that she began dating Wayne. Their ever-growing love for each other was immediately recognized by family and friends. Marsha and Wayne were happily married in the little stone house in 1993, by Justice of the Peace, Mr. Edgar Timothy, with Wayne’s late father, Todd Warren, in from California, signing as a witness.
Starting in the Purchasing Department, Marsha soon moved into a position as a Scientific Research Grant Assistant, supporting many Faculty. During her tenure at the Bay Campus, Marsha had the privilege of working for many of the Faculty and Marine Scientists, where she kept track of their research grant budgets (overhead, travel, purchases, staff and student payrolls) and worked closely with their graduate students.
Marsha was well liked by the students, as she was known to go out of her way to help ‘her’ graduate students, who often came to her with a variety of questions, both work-related and sometimes of a more personal nature (she had a very sympathetic ear).
The last 20 years or so at the Bay Campus, she worked part-time, as she had requested and obtained a change in her status from full to part-time, upon the birth of her first grandchild, Jacob, so she could be available to help her daughter Gwen and then husband, Tom. Although she worked only part-time, Marsha would often get calls after hours and on weekends from both the scientists and graduate students asking for help in solving a problem, be it travel, a purchase order or payroll question: She rarely said no.
It wasn’t always about work for Marsha. Marsha loved camping. Once a year, for at least two weeks, Marsha would go camping at Burlingame State Park. Her favorite location was in Fish Camp, site #114, right on Watchaug Pond. She especially enjoyed this activity with her oldest grandson, Jacob, who began living with Marsha and Wayne in 2007 (he’ll be graduating from URI, with a degree in Engineering this year). Marsha’s favorite relaxation spot was down at the waterline, sitting in a beach chair, book in lap (she was a voracious reader), cigarette in hand and a beverage in the cup-holder, bare toes wiggled into the sand.
She also loved music, especially country music. Marsha and Wayne attended several concerts by Lyle Lovett, and a few Rhythm and Roots Festivals, dancing under the big tent. Marsha had a few special musical loves: Emmylou Harris (saw her at Warwick Musical Theatre, before it closed), Arlo Guthrie (saw him at Lupo’s in the late ‘90’s (she bought a t-shirt, got a hug and a kiss from him after the show, when she asked him to sign his t-shirt); saw Arlo in Woonsocket a few years back, too. You knew it was Thanksgiving when she put on Arlo’s classic: “Alice’s Restaurant”).
Marsha retired after nearly 30 years at the Bay Campus: She said she wouldn’t miss the increasingly heavy workload, but that she would miss the people.
Marsha suffered from a variety of health problems over the years, starting with her back. She loved to ride on the back of Wayne’s Harley Davidson motorcycle when he first bought it, but her ever worsening back pain forced her to stop after just a few years.
She also battled more serious health problems that led to multiple surgeries. She also suffered from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a progressive lung disease that leads to reduced lung capacity and a reduced ability to simply breathe.
She rarely complained to her family or friends about the pain she suffered nor the ailments she had. It’s the reason why she seemed to lose contact with her many friends at the Bay Campus after her retirement: She didn’t want to burden them with her worsening health problems.
Marsha never asked why she suffered with these ailments, she just wanted to shield her family and friends from her problems. She was a private person and did not relish the spotlight being focused on her or her problems (nor the taking of photographs, being notoriously camera-shy), she wanted simply to be known as someone to offer help, and not ask for it.
Marsha had a wonderful sense of humor and always made us smile.
She loved Wayne, and she loved her family so very much.
We all miss her very much. But we take solace in knowing that she is looking down on us, sitting in a beach chair on the edge of the pond, with a book in her lap, perhaps a cigarette in hand, a beverage in the cupholder, wiggling her toes in the sand, and finally, just, relaxing.
Marsha’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and thanks to all the good and kind people in the Westerly Hospital ICU that were so kind and considerate to Marsha in her final days.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all services will be limited to the immediate family. A Celebration of Marsha’s Life will be planned for a later date.
Marsha Ellen Warren, 69, of Charlestown, RI, passed away at Westerly Hospital, on Thursday, January 21, 2021, after a long battle with COPD and congestive heart failure. She was the beloved wife of Wayne Warren for 27 years.
Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Phyllis Meek.
Besides her husband, Marsha is survived by her loving children, her daughter, Gwendolyn Doherty, and her son, Alexander Holzinger (Allison), her cherished grandchildren, Jacob Warren Doherty, Alexander Holzinger, Anna Holzinger, Abigail Holzinger, Sean Holzinger, and Jane Ellen Holzinger. Marsha is also survived by her loving siblings, sisters Carolyn Pendegraph and Janice (Jim) Griffin, and her brother, David Meek (Deb). She also is survived by nieces, Valerie (Jim) and Alexandra (Sean), a nephew, David (Nina) and grandniece Katharine and grandnephew Cameron.
Marsha was a Rhode Islander, born and raised. She graduated from East Providence High School in 1970. She married right after high school (to Ronald Holzinger) moving to Texas and then to West Germany, where Ron was stationed while in the Army, and where Gwen was born.
Returning to the states, they settled in Burrillville. Marsha worked for Dupane Propane. She also had a job counting caterpillars, as an observer in a light plane flying over Rhode Island, looking for evidence of the damage done by gypsy moth caterpillars.
During the Blizzard of ‘78, Marsha was marooned at the Civic Center for four days, with five year-old Gwen and while 7 months pregnant with Alex, surviving on hot dogs donated by the Hot Dog Man. Marsha and Gwen were finally able to catch a ride home to Burrillville from a kind gentleman in a big 4X4.
In 1988, Marsha found a position with the Purchasing Department at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography (the Narragansett Bay Campus), where she first met Wayne, a research specialist. By this time Marsha and Ron had separated and were soon divorced.
Marsha moved to Charlestown from Burrillville, in 1989, as the long commute from Burrillville to the Bay Campus was just too much, for her and her little car (Smegley). She found a little stone house to rent, with Alex (Gwen was in college) and with their big hound/shepherd mix rescue dog, Bubba. It was shortly after that she began dating Wayne. Their ever-growing love for each other was immediately recognized by family and friends. Marsha and Wayne were happily married in the little stone house in 1993, by Justice of the Peace, Mr. Edgar Timothy, with Wayne’s late father, Todd Warren, in from California, signing as a witness.
Starting in the Purchasing Department, Marsha soon moved into a position as a Scientific Research Grant Assistant, supporting many Faculty. During her tenure at the Bay Campus, Marsha had the privilege of working for many of the Faculty and Marine Scientists, where she kept track of their research grant budgets (overhead, travel, purchases, staff and student payrolls) and worked closely with their graduate students.
Marsha was well liked by the students, as she was known to go out of her way to help ‘her’ graduate students, who often came to her with a variety of questions, both work-related and sometimes of a more personal nature (she had a very sympathetic ear).
The last 20 years or so at the Bay Campus, she worked part-time, as she had requested and obtained a change in her status from full to part-time, upon the birth of her first grandchild, Jacob, so she could be available to help her daughter Gwen and then husband, Tom. Although she worked only part-time, Marsha would often get calls after hours and on weekends from both the scientists and graduate students asking for help in solving a problem, be it travel, a purchase order or payroll question: She rarely said no.
It wasn’t always about work for Marsha. Marsha loved camping. Once a year, for at least two weeks, Marsha would go camping at Burlingame State Park. Her favorite location was in Fish Camp, site #114, right on Watchaug Pond. She especially enjoyed this activity with her oldest grandson, Jacob, who began living with Marsha and Wayne in 2007 (he’ll be graduating from URI, with a degree in Engineering this year). Marsha’s favorite relaxation spot was down at the waterline, sitting in a beach chair, book in lap (she was a voracious reader), cigarette in hand and a beverage in the cup-holder, bare toes wiggled into the sand.
She also loved music, especially country music. Marsha and Wayne attended several concerts by Lyle Lovett, and a few Rhythm and Roots Festivals, dancing under the big tent. Marsha had a few special musical loves: Emmylou Harris (saw her at Warwick Musical Theatre, before it closed), Arlo Guthrie (saw him at Lupo’s in the late ‘90’s (she bought a t-shirt, got a hug and a kiss from him after the show, when she asked him to sign his t-shirt); saw Arlo in Woonsocket a few years back, too. You knew it was Thanksgiving when she put on Arlo’s classic: “Alice’s Restaurant”).
Marsha retired after nearly 30 years at the Bay Campus: She said she wouldn’t miss the increasingly heavy workload, but that she would miss the people.
Marsha suffered from a variety of health problems over the years, starting with her back. She loved to ride on the back of Wayne’s Harley Davidson motorcycle when he first bought it, but her ever worsening back pain forced her to stop after just a few years.
She also battled more serious health problems that led to multiple surgeries. She also suffered from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a progressive lung disease that leads to reduced lung capacity and a reduced ability to simply breathe.
She rarely complained to her family or friends about the pain she suffered nor the ailments she had. It’s the reason why she seemed to lose contact with her many friends at the Bay Campus after her retirement: She didn’t want to burden them with her worsening health problems.
Marsha never asked why she suffered with these ailments, she just wanted to shield her family and friends from her problems. She was a private person and did not relish the spotlight being focused on her or her problems (nor the taking of photographs, being notoriously camera-shy), she wanted simply to be known as someone to offer help, and not ask for it.
Marsha had a wonderful sense of humor and always made us smile.
She loved Wayne, and she loved her family so very much.
We all miss her very much. But we take solace in knowing that she is looking down on us, sitting in a beach chair on the edge of the pond, with a book in her lap, perhaps a cigarette in hand, a beverage in the cupholder, wiggling her toes in the sand, and finally, just, relaxing.
Marsha’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and thanks to all the good and kind people in the Westerly Hospital ICU that were so kind and considerate to Marsha in her final days.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all services will be limited to the immediate family. A Celebration of Marsha’s Life will be planned for a later date.
Born in Providence, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Phyllis Meek.
Besides her husband, Marsha is survived by her loving children, her daughter, Gwendolyn Doherty, and her son, Alexander Holzinger (Allison), her cherished grandchildren, Jacob Warren Doherty, Alexander Holzinger, Anna Holzinger, Abigail Holzinger, Sean Holzinger, and Jane Ellen Holzinger. Marsha is also survived by her loving siblings, sisters Carolyn Pendegraph and Janice (Jim) Griffin, and her brother, David Meek (Deb). She also is survived by nieces, Valerie (Jim) and Alexandra (Sean), a nephew, David (Nina) and grandniece Katharine and grandnephew Cameron.
Marsha was a Rhode Islander, born and raised. She graduated from East Providence High School in 1970. She married right after high school (to Ronald Holzinger) moving to Texas and then to West Germany, where Ron was stationed while in the Army, and where Gwen was born.
Returning to the states, they settled in Burrillville. Marsha worked for Dupane Propane. She also had a job counting caterpillars, as an observer in a light plane flying over Rhode Island, looking for evidence of the damage done by gypsy moth caterpillars.
During the Blizzard of ‘78, Marsha was marooned at the Civic Center for four days, with five year-old Gwen and while 7 months pregnant with Alex, surviving on hot dogs donated by the Hot Dog Man. Marsha and Gwen were finally able to catch a ride home to Burrillville from a kind gentleman in a big 4X4.
In 1988, Marsha found a position with the Purchasing Department at the University of Rhode Island’s Graduate School of Oceanography (the Narragansett Bay Campus), where she first met Wayne, a research specialist. By this time Marsha and Ron had separated and were soon divorced.
Marsha moved to Charlestown from Burrillville, in 1989, as the long commute from Burrillville to the Bay Campus was just too much, for her and her little car (Smegley). She found a little stone house to rent, with Alex (Gwen was in college) and with their big hound/shepherd mix rescue dog, Bubba. It was shortly after that she began dating Wayne. Their ever-growing love for each other was immediately recognized by family and friends. Marsha and Wayne were happily married in the little stone house in 1993, by Justice of the Peace, Mr. Edgar Timothy, with Wayne’s late father, Todd Warren, in from California, signing as a witness.
Starting in the Purchasing Department, Marsha soon moved into a position as a Scientific Research Grant Assistant, supporting many Faculty. During her tenure at the Bay Campus, Marsha had the privilege of working for many of the Faculty and Marine Scientists, where she kept track of their research grant budgets (overhead, travel, purchases, staff and student payrolls) and worked closely with their graduate students.
Marsha was well liked by the students, as she was known to go out of her way to help ‘her’ graduate students, who often came to her with a variety of questions, both work-related and sometimes of a more personal nature (she had a very sympathetic ear).
The last 20 years or so at the Bay Campus, she worked part-time, as she had requested and obtained a change in her status from full to part-time, upon the birth of her first grandchild, Jacob, so she could be available to help her daughter Gwen and then husband, Tom. Although she worked only part-time, Marsha would often get calls after hours and on weekends from both the scientists and graduate students asking for help in solving a problem, be it travel, a purchase order or payroll question: She rarely said no.
It wasn’t always about work for Marsha. Marsha loved camping. Once a year, for at least two weeks, Marsha would go camping at Burlingame State Park. Her favorite location was in Fish Camp, site #114, right on Watchaug Pond. She especially enjoyed this activity with her oldest grandson, Jacob, who began living with Marsha and Wayne in 2007 (he’ll be graduating from URI, with a degree in Engineering this year). Marsha’s favorite relaxation spot was down at the waterline, sitting in a beach chair, book in lap (she was a voracious reader), cigarette in hand and a beverage in the cup-holder, bare toes wiggled into the sand.
She also loved music, especially country music. Marsha and Wayne attended several concerts by Lyle Lovett, and a few Rhythm and Roots Festivals, dancing under the big tent. Marsha had a few special musical loves: Emmylou Harris (saw her at Warwick Musical Theatre, before it closed), Arlo Guthrie (saw him at Lupo’s in the late ‘90’s (she bought a t-shirt, got a hug and a kiss from him after the show, when she asked him to sign his t-shirt); saw Arlo in Woonsocket a few years back, too. You knew it was Thanksgiving when she put on Arlo’s classic: “Alice’s Restaurant”).
Marsha retired after nearly 30 years at the Bay Campus: She said she wouldn’t miss the increasingly heavy workload, but that she would miss the people.
Marsha suffered from a variety of health problems over the years, starting with her back. She loved to ride on the back of Wayne’s Harley Davidson motorcycle when he first bought it, but her ever worsening back pain forced her to stop after just a few years.
She also battled more serious health problems that led to multiple surgeries. She also suffered from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a progressive lung disease that leads to reduced lung capacity and a reduced ability to simply breathe.
She rarely complained to her family or friends about the pain she suffered nor the ailments she had. It’s the reason why she seemed to lose contact with her many friends at the Bay Campus after her retirement: She didn’t want to burden them with her worsening health problems.
Marsha never asked why she suffered with these ailments, she just wanted to shield her family and friends from her problems. She was a private person and did not relish the spotlight being focused on her or her problems (nor the taking of photographs, being notoriously camera-shy), she wanted simply to be known as someone to offer help, and not ask for it.
Marsha had a wonderful sense of humor and always made us smile.
She loved Wayne, and she loved her family so very much.
We all miss her very much. But we take solace in knowing that she is looking down on us, sitting in a beach chair on the edge of the pond, with a book in her lap, perhaps a cigarette in hand, a beverage in the cupholder, wiggling her toes in the sand, and finally, just, relaxing.
Marsha’s family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and thanks to all the good and kind people in the Westerly Hospital ICU that were so kind and considerate to Marsha in her final days.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all services will be limited to the immediate family. A Celebration of Marsha’s Life will be planned for a later date.
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