Marion Joan Geake

Marion Joan Geake

Retired Assistant Director of The Tufts University Annual Fund 

Marion Joan (Crawford) Geake, a resident of Davenport, Florida formerly of Medford, Massachusetts and Ocean Park, Maine and beloved wife of the pre deceased George Geake, died at AdventHealth Hospital in Celebration, Florida on June 8, 2024. She was 83 years old. 

She was a universally loved globetrotting daredevil, shenanigans ringleader and force of nature. Described by many as a “hot ticket, “like a sister”, a “pistol”, and a “real hoot”; Marion had an unforgettable vibrant personality of warmth, love and sass.  She had a fierce burning light for life and wanted to squeeze out as much joy and adventure as she could. 

Marion was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts on March 10, 1941, also known as the most important day of the year. She was the youngest daughter of eight children of the late Albert James Crawford and Martha (Penny) Crawford. As the beloved baby of a lively Boston family, she learned how to stand up for herself and be heard.

She met George in Ocean Park, Maine. Their 60 year marriage was filled with partnership, love and devotion. They shared a love for travel-including many cruises, trips to Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, and The Caribbean. In retirement, they toured the country in a motor home, enjoying every roadside attraction and tourist trap. 

Marion was a graduate of Jeremiah E. Burke High School in Dorchester.  While she had a myriad of jobs over the years, a highlight was owning and managing her own fabric store in Reading, in the early 1970s, while caring for three young children. In the 1980s, she worked at Tufts University, eventually rising to Assistant Director of the Annual Fund. The students who worked for her fondly remember her rendition of Elvis’ “Return to Sender” whenever misdirected mailings came back. 

After retiring to Polo Park, Marion continued to work as a cast member at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and as a tour guide at EPCOT. A job that was perfectly suited to her innate talent of talking to any stranger and turning them into a new friend. She relished the power that the tour guide flashlight bestowed upon her. A bonus perk of the job, was getting prime viewing spots for her lifelong love of firework displays.

Marion was heavily involved in the many activities in the Polo Park community and created a whole group of new best friends. 

Marion had a deep faith in the Lord and was an active member of The First Baptist Church of Medford. Serving on numerous committees, she was proudest of her work with The Christian Education and Finance committees. 

Besides her church work, she was an active community volunteer, steering a fundraising effort on the independent living home “A New Day” in Groton, working on a Habitat for Humanity build in Vero Beach, and donating plasma at a Boston  area hospital. 

Marion is survived by her children Bethany and her husband Francis Viens of Medford, Greg and his wife Kristen Gake of Wilmington, and Brad and his wife Kristin Hagen of Burbank, California. Lovingly known as “Mimi” to her grandchildren Matthew and his wife Jessica, Michael, Julia, Oscar, Hal, and Aksel. Marion is survived by her two living brothers, Roy Crawford and his wife Mary, and Bob Crawford and by dozens of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews in the extensive Crawford family.

Marion will be greatly missed as a guide, friend and mom.