July 7, 1954 ~ March 13, 2023

Finkelstein, Marian L. (Ross) of Wilmington, formerly of Billerica, passed away peacefully at home with her loving daughter, Victoria, by her side on March 13, 2023 at the age of 68.  She was the beloved daughter of the late Louis V. Ross and Jeanne M. Ross. Marian was predeceased by her adoring husband Stanley Finkelstein. She is survived by her beloved and caring daughter, Victoria (Ross) Suttie and her husband, John Suttie of Wilmington; loving sisters Nancy M. Roberts and her husband, Kevin Durham-Fisher of Exeter, NH and her late husband Richard L. Roberts, Elizabeth Tentindo and her husband Dennis of Danvers, Jeanne Souza and her husband William of Hull and Barbara Carney and her husband Richard of Chelmsford and her brother Philip Ross and his wife Kathy of Bellingham. Beloved “Nani” to her grand babies Hayley Hammond, David Hammond, Victoria Suttie, Jacklyn Suttie and her precious great grand babies John Michael Miller and Samuel Miller.  She was the loving and attentive auntie to many nieces and nephews. She leaves behind her cherished childhood friend and “partner in crime”, Susan Calarusso, and dear friend Nancy Harrington, along with many other close girlfriends. God sometimes sends angels down to earth to walk beside us.  That “angel” for Marian and her family is named Nateena, who provided unconditional support, care and comfort to Marian as she approached her final journey.

Although small in stature, Marian had a large personality and heart.  Known to be a spit fire, she earned the nickname Sparky.  She would do anything to make others laugh, often at her own expense.  Marian had a love for fashion (if one considered big hair and “506” lipstick fashionable).  A ski parka was one of her signature looks that she sported throughout all twelve months of the year in New England. She made many trips to JC Penney because, in her words, “Christmas shopping starts the day after Christmas”. Marian found joy in many different activities throughout her life.  She was always the star (if only in her mind) when singing and dancing with her beloved sisters. Motown was her favorite music, but Billy Idol’s “Mony Mony” topped her list and initiated a dance move no matter where she was.  

Sundays were spent challenging Stanley and her late father-in-law, Bernard Finkelstein, to a friendly game of cards.  It would not be a typical Sunday, if you did not hear Marian yelling, “You’re cheating!”.  Sewing and painting with her “Stitch & Bitch” group of friends was another favorite activity. Marian was famous for baking many delicious treats.  Bread pudding and mocha-frosted cake topped her list of signature baked goods. Cooking dinner was another story entirely.  She may have held the Guinness World Record for setting off a smoke detector when cooking dinner. It is rumored that she was on a first name basis with the fire department in town.  In her ultimate wisdom, she decided to stick to baking.  Marian got quite the kick out of heckling her beloved son-in-law, John, always plotting her next prank on him. It became a competition.  In recent years, Marian enjoyed heading up to camp in NH to spend lazy days laughing with her daughter, family and friends. Most laughs were had on karaoke nights at her niece Holly and her husband Phil’s campsite. Most of all, she enjoyed her time with all of her grand babies.  To her, they were everything; her world. She was forever chasing them around to dress them warmly and questioning if they had socks on (summers included).

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Marian asks that you just be kind and enjoy life.