Marian M. Alves

Marian M. Alves Marian M. Alves, 52, an attorney for the Department of Revenue, passed away Wednesday morning at her home in Tallahassee surrounded by family and friends after a two-year battle with cancer. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. EST today, November 16, at the Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Timberlane Road Chapel (850-877-8191). Funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 17, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Tallahassee, with interment to follow at Culley's MeadowWood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32308. She was born in Wilmington, Delaware. In 1973, Marian began college as a freshman at Bard College in New York State, intending to major in the performing arts. Realizing shortly after arriving there that a career in performing arts may not be her life's goal, she transferred to Wheaton, an all women's college in Massachusetts, and graduated with honors in history. After working in Boston, Marian graduated from Suffolk Law School and married a fellow student. After a brief stint in Washington, D.C., she moved to Tallahassee in 1983. Throughout her legal career in Tallahassee, Marian was employed at various times by the Board of Regents, North Florida Legal Services and the Guardian Ad Litem program. As an attorney, Marian was resolute and committed to those she represented. As important as the practice of her profession was to her, her greatest joy and the subject of her utmost devotion were her beloved children - Emily, Matthew and Charlie. She participated in their classroom activities, lessons and performances and was their most devoted fan. Marian loved to travel and had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the world. She was a wonderful cook and was passionate about food, gardening and liberal politics. Books were a constant source of pleasure. Survivors include her mother Jacqueline Lazare McNeill; and her father, Thomas Hudson McNeill; sons, Mathew Christopher Alves and Charles Taylor Alves; daughter, Emily Michelle Alves; brother, David (and wife Anne McNeill); sister, Suzanne McNeill; nieces and nephews, Natalie, Andrew, Thomas and Kyle McNeill and Daniel Reiner.