Marion Belvin Gendell, 91, passed away peacefully on October 15.
Born in Berlin in 1931, she emigrated with her parents and younger brother to England in August 1939, just one week before the onset of World War II. In 1940, her family emigrated to the United States settling in Atlanta and created a new life as U.S. citizens which included changing the family surname from Berliner to Belvin. Marion was proud of her role as a founding member of the Atlanta Symphony playing the string bass. She married Gerald S. Gendell in 1952 and upon completion of his U.S. Army service in 1954, settled in Cincinnati where they raised their family.
At age 50, Marion completed her college education at the University of Cincinnati, which awarded her a B.S. in Education in 1981. Marion and Gerry moved to Tucson in 1992 upon his retirement and lived there for 17 years until Gerry’s death in 2009 participating actively in the Jewish community. At the time of her death, Marion resided in Southport, Conn. near family.
Marion’s greatest joy was raising her seven children, five of whom survive her: Carin Gendell (Steve Benjamin) of Greenwich, Conn; Jeff Gendell (Martha) of Greenwich, Conn; David Gendell (Laurie) of Westport, Conn; Marc Gendell (Carol) of Atlanta; and Brad Gendell of Los Angeles. She was predeceased by her husband, Gerry, and her daughters Danna Korell and Dr. Adrian Bonser. Marion was the proud grandmother of Alexander, Ryan, Sarah, Jacob, Erica, Hillary, Molly, Amanda, Matthew, Christopher, Zoe, India, Guy, and Fox.
A private burial is planned. Contributions in her memory may be directed to The Atlanta Symphony (www.aso.org)
