With great sadness, we share that Marianne Angela Concilio Bogdon, 86 years of age, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, February 23rd. The birds were singing outside and warm sunlight filtered through her window. She was surrounded by the love and care of her family and devoted caregivers at Kelley’s Family Care Home at 1919 High Holly Lane, Raleigh, North Carolina. Marianne was a breast cancer survivor and suffered the effects of Alzheimer’s dementia over the last decade of her life.

Little Marianne was born on Thursday, the 18th of May, 1939 to jovial parents Joseph and Emma Concilio, whose parents hailed from the Abruzzo region of central Italy (nestled in the Apennine Mountains) and the Campania region of Naples in southern Italy. An only child, she was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan in a devout Roman Catholic family. Growing up, Marianne was surrounded by her doting grandparents, vibrant aunts and uncles, and fun-loving cousins. She adored her childhood calico cat called Timmy.

In 1957, Marianne graduated from Dominican High School upon completion of her Liberal Arts course of study. The school was established in 1940 by the Adrian Dominican Sisters of the Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary on McKinney Street. In 1961, she received her Artium Baccalaureatus in Elementary Education from Collegium Luci Mariae (Marygrove College) under Praeses Curatricum Mother Anna Maria. Marygrove College was founded in 1905 and was affiliated with the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary on West McNichols Road. Marianne received her Master of Arts in Education in 1966 from the University of Michigan Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

During college, young Marianne took a 3-bus commute to her job in the billing room at Crowley’s Department Store downtown. She cut her girlfriends’ hair, as well as her own, to save money. Her first official teaching job was as a kindergarten teacher at the Trombly Elementary School in Grosse Pointe Park. She found great fulfillment and joy in educating little ones, and cried giant tears when saying goodbye to each graduating class. In 1963, Marianne found the love of her life, Bernie, at the Pretzel Bell pub in Ann Arbor - the two spent the next 60 years side by side. With her parents’ blessing, Marianne and Bernie were married at Saint Brendan Church on the 25th of July, 1964 and soon thereafter started their family. So special to Marianne was that Carrie, her first born baby, arrived on her own birthday. She loved motherhood and loved, loved, loved being ‘Nonni’ to her two ‘baby doll’ granddaughters. After raising her children, Marianne worked as an English as a Second Language (ESOL) teacher and a pre-school music teacher in both Boca Raton, Florida and Raleigh, North Carolina, all the while working as a tireless homemaker.

Marianne had a heart of gold and nurtured her family, friends, and communities with loyalty and love. She had tremendous faith, and would sit down to recite The Chaplet of Divine Mercy as soon as she heard of someone (anyone) in need. Her innate instinct to nourish and heal was best displayed through her beautiful, homemade cooking and baking. She was a ‘second mom’ to so many, always extending open arms and hot meals to her children’s friends. Marianne was a compassionate listener, and gave soft, warm hugs and kisses from an endless font. She was stubborn and determined, and used those traits as strength to contribute to the greater good. Marianne was a passionate volunteer. Her work included: St. John Catholic Church, Fairport, New York Meals Committee and CCD teacher; St. Raphael Catholic Church Raleigh, North Carolina Pre-Cana Marriage Preparation Counselor; Assistance League of the Triangle and its affiliated A-Z Thrift Shop on North Market Drive. Marianne was an enthusiastic pianist and singer. She loved children’s literature and music, theatre, traveling, spending time with friends, hosting parties (including progressive gourmet club dinners), camping, antiquing, reading, knitting/crocheting, and cheering on her favorite sports teams. During their years in Fairport, Marianne so enjoyed her Fairview Lanes social bowling league where chatting was always valued higher than the score. She treasured her decades-long friendships with the dynamic and devoted ladies of the Canasta Cuties, a very special group who always dress stylishly in pink. Marianne loved chocolate almost as much as she loved Bernie.

Marianne’s adoring, immediate family includes her cherished husband, Bernard David Bogdon (1936-2023); her lucky children Carrie Lynn Bogdon Cui (1965-2014), Beth Ann Bogdon & Thomas Allen Dwight, and Nanci Jean Bogdon; her precious grandchildren Nicolea Keiki Dwight and Noelle Makana Dwight; her sweet bichon frise, Banjo, and her spunky great grandbunny, Carrot.

A private memorial service will be held. Marianne will be laid to rest beside her husband and first born daughter at St. Luke The Evangelist Catholic Church’s columbarium on Bayleaf Church Road in Raleigh, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to please consider a donation in Marianne Bogdon’s name to:

Assistance League of the Triangle Area (ALTA) - https://altriangle.org/
Volunteers transforming lives of women, children and families through local community programs: Operation School Bell, Youth Scholarships, Kid’s Place, and Women in Need.

Duke Cancer Institute - https://www.dukecancerinstitute.org/
Marianne & Carrie received breast cancer treatment within the Duke Hospital system.

Alzheimer’s Association - https://www.alz.org/