Marianne Z Marcinko

Marianne Z. Marcinko, 61, of The Colony, Texas, passed away February 19, 2021, after nearly seven years courageously battling leiomyosarcoma and liposarcoma cancer, as well as chemotherapy-induced leukemia in her last year.

Marianne was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Mary and Ralph Zelhofer on January 2, 1960.

She grew up in New Berlin, Wisconsin, and attended Eisenhower High School. New Berlin is where Marianne spent many years with her family, taking ski trips and hanging with friends who called themselves “The Missy’s.” In 1982, Marianne migrated south to Dallas, Texas, following some of “The Missy’s.” Shortly after, Marianne’s sister, Carol, came to join the fun.

Marianne lived and worked in downtown Dallas for several years at two popular spots called Humperdinks and Houlihan’s. During the time Marianne was bartending, a certain local boy began showing up at her shifts claiming to be particularly interested in Humperdinks’ Budweiser selection. George Marcinko became a regular who soon became her husband. Together, they had a huge group of friends who made many memories together.

Marianne and George welcomed their first daughter, Jessica, in 1990. Their home was always open for backyard parties, friends stopping by or anyone who needed a place to stay. Marianne left the service industry to start work at Ocean Beauty Seafoods, where she dedicated 33 years of her life to seafood buying and built life-long friendships along the way. Shortly after their daughter Nicole was born in 1995, the family picked up and moved to The Colony. Marianne with her natural charisma and warm personality quickly made friends and formed the Sandhill Circle gang.

Marianne spent the next 25 years raising her daughters, attending school and sports events and having more backyard parties. The house was always filled with family, friends and love. Marianne loved gardening, spending time at the lake, visiting her parents in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, watching the Green Bay Packers and walking around the Dallas Arboretum. Her greatest pride was watching her daughters grow to be extraordinary people who are loving, determined, independent and adventurous. Marianne was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. She was a warrior during the years of countless rounds of chemo, surgeries and doctors’ appointments.

The old saying goes, “She never met a stranger,” and it implies a lightness and an ease with everyone — which translates to an ease within yourself that radiates and invites others in. But Marianne was not a hummingbird flitting from person to person. She was steadfast and funny, loyal and light, solid and giving, and when you met her, you met her — as if you’d known her your whole life.

It’s often said you need only see a few feet in front of you to navigate the darkness. Marianne lit up the room, the block, the whole neighborhood. She showed others how to see through hard times, difficulties and challenges to what’s really important: family, love, grace, laughter, the moment and the long view. She will be carried forever by those who knew her, in courage, in laughter, in optimism and light and hope.

Marianne is preceded in death by her father, Ralph Zelhofer, her father-in-law, George Marcinko, and sister-in-law Mary Champion. She is survived by her mother, Mary Zelhofer; her husband, George; her daughters, Jessica and Nicole; mother-in-law, Mary Marcinko; sister, Carol Kaspar (Paul), brothers David Zelhofer (Judy) and Daniel Zelhofer (Debbie); brothers-in-law Andrew Marcinko, Patrick Marcinko (Monica), Terrence Marcinko, and Timothy Marcinko (Sharon); and numerous nieces, nephews and close friends.

In light of COVID-19 restrictions, Marianne wished for a private family mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Richardson, Texas, with a larger celebration of her life to follow in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.