Marianne Fixel

Marianne Fixel, age 50, of Newcomerstown, passed away early Sunday morning, September 13, 2009 in Union Hospital at Dover.Born September 15, 1958 in Red Bank, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Robert Burns and Eleanor (Golden) White. After graduating from high school she did complete 2 years of further education before beginning her lifelong passion of caring for foster children.In 1984, Marianne and her husband, Steve, opened their home to provide care and love to foster children throughout our community. More than 30 children have called Marianne and Steve’s home, theirs. Her avid support of the foster care system led her to be an advocate for the children, sharing her time speaking to a variety of groups on their behalf.Marianne will be greatly missed by her family which includes her sons; Michael Fixel and Dakota Fixel, both of the home; her daughter, Sarah Fixel, of the home; numerous foster children; her step-sons, Steve (Karen) Fixel of Parma, O. and Bob (Lynn) Fixel of Garfield, O.; numerous grandchildren; her brothers, Dick (Jill) White of New Philadelphia, Bill (Yvonne) White of Hudson, O., and Bob (Mary) White of Carrollton; her sister, Sharon (James) Sullivan of Sparta, New Jersey; brothers-in-law, John (Sandy) Fixel of Carrollton, and Andrew (Roseann) Fixel of Parma, O.; a sister-in-law, Cass Stripp of Hollywood, Fl.; and numerous nieces and nephews.In addition to her parents, Marianne was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, George Fixel; her sister-in-law, Mary Zauszniewski; and her sister, Anna Mary White.Visitation will be held in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 from 5 to 8 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Msgr. George J. Schlegel in Sacred Heart Church on Thursday, beginning at 3 p.m. Inurnment alongside her parents will immediately follow the service in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia.To honor Marianne’s memory, please direct memorial contributions to the adoption program at Tuscarawas County Job & Family Services, 389 16th St SW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.Those unable to attend are invited to send the family personal condolences by signing the online guest registry located on the funeral home’s website.