Marion K. Marabello of Naples, FL, formerly of Concord, MA, passed away on May 6, 2024. She was 95 years old.

Marion was born in Westford, MA, the eighth of twelve children of Joseph and Dolphine Connell. She graduated in 1947 from Westford Academy and was a member of the school band playing alto saxophone. During the war years, she worked at the Abbott Worsted Mill.

She was the beloved wife of A. John Marabello to whom she was married for almost 70 years. John predeceased Marion in 2021. Marion was active in the Concord business community for over 45 years as the co-owner with her husband John of Marabello Florist in the 1950's-1960's and Marabello Tree and Landscape Co. from the 1960-1990's. Both businesses were start-ups and expanded through the years. They grew most of their own flowers, fruits, vegetables, and shrubs, and were one of the first in Massachusetts to grow tomatoes "under glass" year-round. For numerous years, she supported many food insecure families in town with free fresh vegetables. Marabello Tree & Landscape Company specialized in landscape design, planting, and year-round property maintenance.

Marion will be remembered for her gregarious personality, excellent business acumen, innovative marketing techniques, profound love of flowers, "green thumb" and generosity. Her boundless energy and stamina would put younger people to shame. Always the optimist, she had a vision for business and the tenacity to realize it. Her entrepreneurial skills began at age 8, when she became the first girl in her town to have a paper route. Through her determination and perseverance on many early mornings, she was able to increase her route to include 120 customers.

In her free time, Marion enjoyed swimming, gardening, yoga, music, and playing golf. She began playing golf at age 75 and continued into her 90's. Marion's close-knit community of friends in Florida shared the joys of retirement in the warm climate that afforded them leisure time for many activities and travel adventures through the years. Marion valued time with family and friends, always taking an interest in their lives, sending cards, offering words of encouragement, advice, and prayers. She baked and decorated fantastic and delicious wedding cakes for her many nieces and nephews' marital celebrations.

Marion will be deeply missed by her family and all those that came to know and love her. She leaves behind her son John, daughter Gail and husband Jim, and grandson Jeff and his wife Jessie. All her brothers and sisters have predeceased her. Her sister-in-law Susan Connell is the last surviving aunt of the family. Her many nieces and nephews will miss her personalized Happy Birthday singing telegrams.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Marion's life during visiting hours at Dee Funeral Home on Tuesday, May 14th from 8 am to 10:45 am. Her Funeral Mass will follow at 11 am in St. Bernard's Church at Holy Family Parish, 12 Monument Square, Concord Center.

Donations to honor her memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project , P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place Memphis TN 38105.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord.