Marilyn L. Rossi / Awrey

August 9, 1931 - February 5, 2022

Marilyn Lorene Rossi/Awrey, formerly of Amasa passed away on February 5 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility. Marilyn was born on August 9, 1931 in Amasa, Hematite Township, daughter of William and Sanna (Peterson) Leanna. She was a lifelong resident of the area. Marilyn graduated from Amasa High School in 1949 as Valedictorian of her class. In 1953 she married Eli Rossi on June 13. He preceded her in death on August 14, 1999. Marilyn was an active member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Amasa until its diocesan closure in 1995. There she held many parish offices within the Women's Guild. She was a religious education instructor, Eucharistic minister, and lector. She was the last (self-taught) organist for the parish. She then became a member of Guardian Angels parish in Crystal Falls until she relocated to Iron Mountain in 2003. For 13 years she was a member of St. Mary and St. Joseph parish and was a weekly adorer at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. She enjoyed an extensive travel history with her sister Betty and nephew Tom (Vicki) Shoquist to the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the Aegean Region (Istanbul and Greece) including Ephesus. Marilyn was a devoted wife and mother. She was an excellent cook and seamstress for her large family. She enjoyed sharing her passion for the drums with her grandson, Grant, both having played them in high school. After high school her career began as a bookkeeper for Alec Malkin and Sons Farm Co. While raising her family, she received her nursing degree from Gogebic Community College with high honors in 1978. She continued her nursing career for a total of 26 years in the Crystal Falls area. Upon her retirement, the late Carole Offerman published an article about her in the local newspaper entitled, "A Nurse for All Seasons". She spoke fluent Finnish, the language of her maternal grandmother. She would often interpret for her Finnish hospital patients. She lovingly sang to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren "Jesus Loves Me" in Finnish. Marilyn was a lifetime member of the VFW auxiliary sharing her patriotic pride with 3 generations of military; husband (Eli), son (William Rossi) and grandson, (Daniel Bales). Remaining to cherish and live Marilyn's legacy of faith and happy memory are her children Benjamin Rossi of Milwaukee, William (Donna) Rossi of Iron River, Teresa Rossi of Iron Mountain, Mary Robinson (Rob Martin) of Crystal Falls, Timothy Rossi of Third Lake Illinois, and Thomas Rossi (Heather) of Lake Zurich, Illinois. She is further survived by grandchildren, Kristine (Jason) Rivard), Laura Hewitt, Jason (Jenn Collier), Philip (Sarah) Robinson, Daniel (Diana) Bales, Andrew, Bradley and Grant Bales; Lily, and Grace Rossi; step granddaughters Kelley, Kate and Allyson and their families. Great grandchildren Chloe, Reagan, Delia, Oliver and Mabel. She is also survived by one sister, Nancy Heimerl of Crystal Falls, sisters-in-law Irene Juneau and Rita Leanna of Amasa, many nieces, nephews and a dear friend, Helga Lange. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Eli Rossi of 46 years and Delos Awrey; her sisters, Selma, Margaret, Pearl, Norma, Betty; and two brothers, William and Robert Leanna. Marilyn's family would like to thank the many compassionate caregivers at the Iron County Medical Care Facility. Memorials can be made to the Monastery of the Holy Cross/Discalced Carmelite Nuns/P.O Box 397/Iron Mountain, MI 49801. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 9 from 9:00 to 11:00 am at the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home in Iron Mountain. Funeral services will be 11:30am on Wednesday at St. Mary and St. Joseph Church in Iron Mountain. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Janusz Romanek. Interment will take place in the Hematite Cemetery in Amasa in the spring. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Jason Rossi, Philip Robinson, Daniel Bales and Andrew Bales and her nephews, Jeffrey Heimerl and James Juneau. "Jeesus minua rakastaa" Condolences may be expressed to the family of Marilyn Awrey online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com or www.nashfuneralhome.net . The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.