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Marian Elizabeth Rankin, 76, passed away peacefully on Jan. 4, 2024 at her home in Columbus, Texas. She was born on Nov. 3, 1947 to Edward J. and Mary M. O’ Toole. She married the love of her life, Charles D. Rankin on June 14, 1969.
Marian was a loving person and like all Irishmen, she could tell a story and loved to entertain friends and family. She received her nursing cap from Temple University School of Nursing in May 1968. She worked as a Registered Nurse in numerous roles including Emergency Room nurse, Medical Surgical nurse and Recovery Room nurse, Pediatric nurse over her 30-year nursing career.
Marian is survived by her husband of 54 years, Charles Rankin; sons, Edward P. Rankin and his wife Jennifer A. Rankin of Charlotte, North Carolina and Kelly F. Rankin of Houston, Texas; six grandchildren, Karmen DiProjetto, Carson Miller, Aiden Hertig, Kennedy Bury, Holden Baldridge and Griffen Baldridge; and two great grandchildren Kalianne DiProjetto and Kieran Ivey.
She was a devoted wife and mother, despite moving multiple times, she had a gift of making every new address feel exactly like home. The family traveled a lot due to her husband’s work, including a year living in France and three years in Nova Scotia, Canada. No matter where the family ended up on the globe, home was always where Marian was.
Marian came to Columbus with her husband in January of 2000. She immediately immersed herself in restoring their historic home and being active in historic home tours. Marian’s avocation was interior decorating and she considered herself the custodian, rather than the owner, of a real Texas historic property. She made the house into an outstanding example of late 1880s Texas architecture. She also enjoyed working as a teacher’s assistant for the early grades at Saint Anthony’s School beginning in 2001. She worked at Saint Anthony’s until retiring in 2009. Marian cherished all of the children she helped to educate during her time at Saint Anthony’s.
Marian grew up on a barrier island, and living in Texas afforded her and Chuck the opportunity to purchase a house on Carancahua Bay. She loved to have the children and grandchildren at the bay house; sharing sunsets, boat rides and sitting on the porch with them all.
She was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Mary O’Toole and sister Mary Margaret O’Toole.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Henneke Funeral Home in Columbus.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Saint Anthony’s Catholic School, 635 Bonham Street, Columbus, Texas 78934.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.com.
