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Rita Marlier Obituary
Norfolk - Sculptor, teacher, mentor, friend, 86 left our midst Sept 17 2016. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, she loved the Tidewater area, the Chesapeake Bay, and her home and studio on Willoughby Spit.
Rita earned an MFA in sculpture from Carnegie Mellon University. A caring and creative teacher, she nurtured artists of all ages. She taught at Carlow College, the Norfolk Museum Art School, Virginia Wesleyan University, the Hermitage Foundation Museum School and Old Dominion University, and in community classes and workshops. She also taught clay and drawing classes for plastic surgeons at Eastern Virginia Medical School, and was Artist in Residence for the Norfolk City Schools and the Governor's Magnet School for the Fine Arts. She was a founding member of the Ceramic Designers Association and a longtime member of the Tidewater Art Alliance.
Her work has been shared in her many exhibits, in museum and private collections, and at public sites, including the Major Hillard Branch Library in Chesapeake.
Rita is survived by her nieces, nephews, their families and by her very special clan of long-time friends, students, and colleagues.
Condolences care of Emilie Marlier, 123 Rugh Lane Morgantown, WV 26508.
A celebration of Rita Marlier's life will be held on Saturday, November 12 from 2 pm 5 pm at the d'Art Center, 740 Duke St., Norfolk.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
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5 Entries
Richard Mayberry
September 20, 2020
I got to know Rita when I lived on Willoughby Spit around 1981. I was "Artist-in-Residence" for the Norfolk Public Schools. I loved to fish and would go out on a wooden jetty to do so. Sometimes, if I was lucky, I would catch a fish. Loved to go to Rita's house and visit and bake the fish sharing it for supper.
Wonderful, good person....
Richard Mayberry
September 28, 2016
Rita, you were always a good friend and an inspiration to me and my sons as well. We rarely see your equal.
RIchard Mayberry
September 28, 2016
Rita was a friend as an artist and fellow fisherman. When coming to Norfolk in 1980 she was kind enough to let me stay with her even though we had just met. As I worked as resident artist in the Artist in the Schools program, Rita continued supporting my work and me. Though we have not kept touch over the years I will never forget her many gifts. God be with you in the light of the Everlasting.
Richard Mayberry
Cynthia Stephenson-Gibbs
September 28, 2016
Rita was one of the most phenomenal professors one could ever have. Her talent and ability to share her art was inspirational both as a student, artist and educator. My condolences to her family.
J. Miller
September 27, 2016
To Rita's family, I am so sorry for your loss. She was an accomplished woman and talented in so many ways. She will be dearly missed but remembered as a "capable wife" described in the Bible who "delights to work with her hands." (Proverbs 31:13) May God bless those mourning with comfort in this difficult time.
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