Mary Fertitta Marshall

Mary Fertitta Marshall Mary Fertitta Marshall, age 85, passed away on Friday, October 4, 2013 in Gulfport. She was born and raised in Hattiesburg, MS, the youngest of six children of parents who were Sicilian immigrants of faith, tradition, and strong family values. Mary attended the University of Southern Mississippi. While there, she was Captain Majorette of the USM Band, member of Sigma Theta Kappa Sorority, Sweetheart of Zeta Sigma Fraternity, and a Campus Beauty. While at Southern Miss, Mary met and married her college sweetheart Aubrey Marshall. They moved to Gulfport where they raised five sons and became active in the community and their church. Mary was instrumental in the success of the family businesses, Marshall’s Books & Hallmark Stores. In addition to raising five sons, Mary was also a guiding light in the successes of her ten grandchildren, attending sports and musical activities and encouraging them as they grew and formed their life values. Mary was an avid tennis player and gardener. Music was integral to their daily lives. She and Aubrey travelled around the world and enjoyed experiencing different cultures. Mary was an humble, selfless, gracious lady and the pureness of her heart touched all those who knew her. Her legacy for her children and grandchildren is to live honorably and humbly and treat all with kindness. Mary lived her own motto. Mary was preceded in death by parents, Sam and Gertrude Fertitta, siblings, Theresa, Gertrude, Pauline and Joe with one surviving sister, Frances. She is also survived by her husband of 66 years, Aubrey, five sons, Bill (Angie), Bob(Susan), Rick(Betty), Barry(Barbara), Mike(Becky), ten grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Visitation will be Friday, October 11, 2013 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport, MS. A memorial service will follow at 7:00 p.m. The family would like to give a special thanks to caregiver, Vanessa Haynes for her dedication. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Nourishing Place, P.O. Box 7785, Gulfport, MS 39506, www.thenourishingplace.org. or The Baddour Center, P.O. Box 97, Senatobia, MS 38668, www.baddour.org View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com