Marion Ventosa

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.