Marilyn I.

Rossi

Marilyn I. Rossi — adventurer, caretaker, fiercely independent woman — passed away peacefully on January 23, 2026, at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She was 82 years old.

Born in Boston and raised in East Cambridge, Marilyn was the beloved daughter of the late Gerald and Rose Doyle. She attended local schools in Cambridge before setting out on a path that would take her clear across the country. Drawn to nursing at a young age, Marilyn put herself through school, earned her degree, and went on to complete her master's at the University of Redlands in California — all while working two jobs and raising her son on her own.

At a time when single mothers were far less common and far less supported, Marilyn packed up her life and moved with her young son from Boston to Los Angeles, determined to build a future on her own terms. Her son never wanted for love or safety. What he had was a mother whose courage was quiet and constant — a woman who showed him, by example, that you do not wait for the world to make room for you.

Marilyn's career as a Registered Nurse spanned 46 years, the heart of which she devoted to elder care as a director of nurses and nursing consultant in the long-term care field. Her work carried her across the country — to Nevada, California, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut — and she embraced every new chapter with the same restless curiosity that defined her life. For Marilyn, nursing was never just a career; it was where she found her deepest sense of purpose and fulfillment. She retired six years ago, having ensured the well-being of more people than could ever be counted.

Marilyn is lovingly survived by her son, Mark Rossi, and his partner, Gregory Bryan; her cherished grandson, Jeremiah Rossi; and her brother, John Rossi. Her son and grandson were the great joys of her life. When Mark adopted Jeremiah during her retirement, Marilyn found a new purpose — and Jeremiah found a grandmother who adored him completely. Those who knew Marilyn knew her laugh. She had a great sense of humor and loved nothing more than to share it. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Lorna Rossi.

A memorial Mass celebrating Marilyn's life will be held on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 12:00 Noon. at Immaculate Conception Church, 133 Beach Street, Revere. Her family will greet friends and loved ones at the church. Marilyn will be inurned alongside her late sister, Lorna Rossi, at Holy Cross Cemetery, 175 Broadway, Malden.

Marilyn carried a deep instinct for the underdog — she felt for those who had been counted out or overlooked, and she championed their causes without hesitation. It was the thread that ran through everything: her nursing, her motherhood, her way of moving through the world. Her spirit, compassion, and independence touched everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed.