Marie George

MARIE GEORGE (nee Nightingale), age 66, of Wickliffe, passed away December 21, 2021, in the loving care of her family and was commended to the loving arms of God. Marie’s life was filled with family, faith and friends, and in return she filled others with an abundance of love. She lived each day with the mindset that it was the “best day ever” and brought joy to those who knew her.

Marie is survived by Dale, her best friend and husband of 47 years; daughters Jennifer Nieset (Craig), Sharon Hanslik (Christopher) and Christine Downs (Craig); grandchildren Liam Downs, Brianna Nieset, A.J. Hanslik, Ashley Nieset, Eve Downs, Gabriel Hanslik, Jacob Nieset, Caleb Nieset, Trey Hanslik and Owen Hanslik; mother-in-law Teresa George; siblings Irene Blachowski, Bill Nightingale (Jackie), Tom Nightingale (Bonnie), Kit Sabatos (Doc) and Bob Nightingale (Maureen); and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Margaret Nightingale; brother James Nightingale; father-in-law Richard L. George; and sister-in-law Joyce George.

Born in Euclid on February 24, 1955, Marie was one of seven children and grew up in Eastlake. After graduating from North High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Dale George, on May 3, 1974. Marie later received her nursing degree from Lakeland Community College in the spring of 1993, the day before daughter Jen graduated from high school.

Family was always the center of Marie and Dale’s lives. Holiday gatherings, birthday celebrations, road trips, camper excursions, Florida reunions, and school sports and activities filled their calendar and their lives.

Marie was exceptionally proud of the athletic abilities of her daughters and grandchildren and cheered them on whenever possible. (“My grandkids run like stallions – seriously good gene pool,” she would modestly point out.)

When schedule conflicts, pandemic protocols or health issues prevented her from attending events or getting together in person, Marie frequently relied on FaceTime or the Marco Polo app to give her a front-row seat or a way to chat over a cup of coffee.

Marie also combined her training as a nurse with her innate compassion to care for others as she worked in several hospital and extended-care environments and provided her parents and in-laws with loving care in her home as they aged.

Caring about others’ needs knew no boundaries for Marie, and over the years she and Dale made nearly a dozen humanitarian mission trips to the critically poor nations of Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. The couple also spearheaded Hands United in Hope and Love, a local ministry that has helped raise more than $100,000 since 2014 to support several struggling Catholic parishes in Nicaragua.

Managing to maintain her good spirits despite many ups and downs, Marie applied what she called her “Irish temper and ornery disposition” to fight recurring episodes of cancer over eight years. Most recently, she drew inspiration and determination from former President Jimmy Carter, who she believed “miraculously” survived similar treatments. Yet she was reluctant to ask for a miracle of her own.

“I was worried that I shouldn’t be asking for yet another one since I was already blessed with one the day after I was born,” she said, explaining that she had survived emergency surgery as a sickly preemie. “I hate to be greedy when someone might need a miracle more than me or be more deserving.”

At every step, Marie and Dale drew upon the love, prayers and unwavering support of the family, friends and community around them. Above all, while hoping for another miracle they placed their trust in God the Almighty Father for His plan for her and for continued blessings on a very difficult journey.

Although no reminder was needed, Marie recently assured her family, “I love, love, love my family a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck,” repeating her father’s treasured phrase from her childhood. “I hope you feel my dad hugging you too, because I feel my dad hugging me every time I say that!”

The family will receive friends at THE MULLALLY FUNERAL HOME located in THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) Monday, December 27, 2021, from 6 to 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021, at St. John of the Cross Parish, 140 Richmond Rd., Euclid. Private interment at All Souls Cemetery.

For those who wish to do so, the family suggests memorial contributions to St. John of the Cross Parish at the above address. Please note “Nicaragua/Marie George” in the memo line.

Per the Family’s Request, MASKS ARE REQUIRED TO ENTER.

Regardless of your vaccination status, we ask that each person entering the building wears a mask.  If you do not have one, we can provide you a disposable mask.

SOCIAL DISTANCING IS REQUIRED.