Marianne “Jeanne” Sabatino

Marianne Jeanette “Jeanne” Sabatino, 92, died October 27, 2014 at Mennonite Home. She was born on July 28, 1922 in Halifax County, N.C., the daughter of William Gray Harris and Bessie Hardy Harris.

Two weeks after being born, she moved to Norfolk, VA, where she became a “loyal Virginian”. After graduating from Maury High School, she married James P. Sabatino in 1941. She traveled up and down the East and West Coasts to be with her husband and to work for the U.S. Navy department.

In 1946, after Jim was discharged from the Navy, both he and Jeanne worked for the Navy department in the Norfolk area for over a year, then moved to Jamesburg, N.J.

Jeanne was employed by N.J. Bell Telephone as a customer representative and Merck & Co. as a proofreader. Her life-long interest in journalism led her into many positions involving writing. She retired as a writer-editor for the U.S. Army at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, MD.

Jeanne and her husband lived in Churchville, MD for forty years, where they both enjoyed gardening, musical events, traveling, writing for various organizations, home making, and reading voraciously.

Jeanne also served her Lord and Savior gladly as youth leader, Sunday School teacher and various other church and Christian women’s club office and Friendship Bible Study Guide.

Jeanne was a twelve year member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, PA. She was blessed that she enjoyed her life to the fullest because of her joy in the Lord.

She had a natural talent for home decorating, loved her family and was known for having never said a bad word about anyone.

Although she called many places “home” and loved each one, the Tidal-water Virginia area held a special charm for her; sea breezes and pristine beaches were her special loves.

She lived at Woodcrest Villa for 12 years, where she gave generously of her time to various committees and in 2004 became the first female Woodcrest Villa resident elected to the Board of the Mennonite Home Communities.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son, Gene, husband of Christine Sabatino, of West Unity, OH; four grandchildren, Elizabeth, Emily, James and Andrew; six great grandchildren; and one very special Niece, Jamie.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her entire birth family.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend a funeral in the chapel at Mennonite Home Communities, 1520 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601 on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at 11:00 AM. Friends may call at the chapel from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Interment will be in the Darlington Cemetery, 2400 Shuresville Rd., Darlington, MD 21034 on Friday, October 31, 2014 at 1:00 PM.

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Benevolent Fund at the Mennonite Home, at address listed above.