WARREN — Marianne Pellicani, 84, died peacefully Saturday, December 7, 2019, surrounded by family and her loyal caregivers, at the Sussman House in Rockport.

Born in Warren, May 19, 1935, she was the daughter of Bartholomew J. and Pauline Starrett Pellicani.

She grew up in Warren with her brother Joseph. Summer days were often spent riding her horse ’Jimmy’. Sometimes in the winter with her brother and friends, Marianne enjoyed use of one of the Town owned bob sleds.
She attended Warren Elementary Schools and graduated from Rockland High School. In high school, she was known for her ability to hot wire cars, never divulging how she learned that trick.

After school in Rockland, she would walk to her father’s place of employment, Algin Corporation (now FMC). She learned from her father, how to analyze the carrageenan from seaweed, used as a food additive. One day
while she was attending Westbrook Junior College, the carrageenan had not been analyzed. Marianne was picked up from the college by her father, brought to Rockland to do the analysis and later returned to school.

Early in her career, she aspired to become a funeral director and oft-times could be found at the Simmons Funeral Home, shadowing the owner to learn the trade. To her dismay, Marianne’s parents never approved of
her career choice. Ultimately, bookkeeping became her vocation and she eventually owned and operated Lowden Seafood.

She was instrumental in starting the minstrel shows at the Second Congregational Church which later evolved into the Couples Club. One of the funniest shows Marianne was involved in, found her dressed in a long black
wig and grass skirt while dancing the hula at the Old Town Hall in Warren.

Always active in her community, Marianne was the Town’s first female member of the Board of Selectman in 1970, and a few years alter became Chairperson of that board. From 1973 to 1990, she served as Cemetery
Sexton and for many years devoted many hours to compilation of the Warren Cemeteries book. She was also one of the founding members of the Warren Day celebration.

The family extends special thanks to Marianne’s caregivers, Sarah, Sherri, Lynn, Debbie, Joanne and Brenda.

Marianne is survived by her daughter, Lois and her husband Larry of Warren; a son, Michael and his wife Debbie; granddaughter, Kate; and great-grandchildren, Amarianna and Sharif all of Minnesota.

A reception for friends and family will be held Friday, June 19, 2020, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home’s reception center at 104 Limerock Street. 

Private burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Warren. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.

To share a memory or story with Marrianne’s family, visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.