Marianne Kathryn Stoper

Marianne Kathryn Stoper, 91, of Brunswick, Ohio, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 28, 2026, at The Avenue at Medina Care and Rehabilitation Center with her family at her side. Marianne was the beloved wife of Richard Stoper (deceased), mother of Rick Stoper (Debbie) and Susan Stoper (Richard); grandmother of Sarah Stoper and Ben Stoper, and Greg Dietrich (Tiffany) and Brad Dietrich (Lyssa); great-grandmother of Daniel, Braxton, and Harper Rae; sister of Raymond J. Barber (deceased) and Patricia F. Barber. Marianne was born in Idamay, West Virginia on December 15, 1934 to Raymond and Ann Barber, coal miner and homemaker respectively. Marianne was a graduate of Farmington High School in Farmington, West Virginia, and St. Mary's School of Nursing in Clarksburg, West Virginia. After graduation, Marianne worked at St. Mary's Hospital. Soon thereafter, Marianne's fellow nursing classmate Patty Stoper introduced her to a young college student named Richard Stoper, who had just left the Navy. On August 31, 1957, Marianne married Richard at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Farmington, West Virginia. In 1958, son Richard Jr. joined them. In 1960, after Richard obtained his teaching degree from Fairmont State College, Richard and Marianne settled in Brunswick, Ohio in 1960, worshipping at St. Ambrose Catholic Parish. While Richard worked as a teacher at Brunswick High School, and later Hillside Junior High School in Seven Hills, Marianne worked as a nurse at Southwest General Hospital in Berea, Ohio, and later at Willowood Care Center in Brunswick. In 1963, Marianne's dream of having a daughter came true when Susan Jane joined the family. Marianne will always be remembered for her dedication and devotion to her parents, husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Marianne loved to read, garden, and crochet and her family has many beautiful, crocheted afghans to remember her by. However, more than anything else, she enjoyed, together with Richard, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending their school events. She was proud of her granddaughter, Sarah who pursued a career in pharmacy. She was proud of her grandsons, Greg and Brad, who served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army respectively. She loved traveling throughout Ohio and the country to follow the sport exploits of her grandson, Ben. More recently, Marianne enjoyed the company of her great-grandchildren, Daniel, Braxton, and Harper Rae. The family wishes to thank all the caregivers at Cleveland Clinic Medina Hospital, The Avenue at Medina Care and Rehabilitation Center, and Reserve Care (formerly Hospice of the Western Reserve), who cared for Marianne. Friends may join the family for visitation from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Waite Funeral Home, 3300 Center Road, Brunswick. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 929 Pearl Rd, Brunswick, with a one-hour visitation prior to Mass beginning at 9:30 a.m. Please meet at the church. Interment will follow at Eastlawn Memory Gardens in Brunswick, Ohio. Condolences may be shared with Marianne's family on her tribute page at www.waitefuneralhome.com.