Elizabeth Eleanor Marsh

1941 - 2021

Elizabeth Eleanor Marsh

Grosse Pointe - Elizabeth Eleanor Marsh née Kerr (Köcsis), died on January 12, 2021 just 9 days short of her 80th birthday. Eleanor was born January 21, 1941 in Giffnock, Scotland to Frank and Rose Kerr and emigrated with them to Australia in 1952. Eleanor moved to Sydney in 1963, after becoming a Registered Nurse, to work at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. There in 1965 she met and married Dr. Harold Michael Marsh. After living several years abroad during Michael's residency at the Mayo Clinic, they returned to Sydney where their 3 children were born; and in 1974 moved to Rochester, Minnesota where they raised their family. In Rochester, Eleanor worked briefly as an RN before going into arts management. She managed the Rochester Civic Theater for a time and served as General Manager of the Rochester Symphony Orchestra, succeeding her good friend Marianne Segura. Eleanor and Michael moved to Grosse Pointe in 1990, where they have made their home for over 30 years. In Detroit Eleanor became active in civic affairs and the arts once more, serving as President of the Board of the Greening of Detroit, and later as advisor; as President and then member of Ibex; member in the Daughters of the British Empire; Board member of the Ecology Center; and avid supporter of the Planned Parenthood and numerous other clubs and organizational committees. Eleanor's wide circle of acquaintances amongst Michigan arts and foundation executives, many of whom had also worked in Minnesota and had met her there, served her well in all aspects of aid to her chosen organizations. Eleanor is survived by her devoted spouse of 55 years, her brother Peter Kerr, her sister Rosemary Scott, and three loving children, Dr. H. Nicholas Marsh, Libby Marsh and Lexie Marsh and their loving spouses, Dr. Julia Brain, Adam Sopko and Bob Regan respectively, and her five adoring grandchildren, Hannah and Libby Regan, Xavier Marsh, and Beatrice and Nora Sopko. Eleanor was a force to be reckoned with and leaves an enduring legacy of strength, courage, and persistence to those who knew her. She left us suddenly after sustaining a severe head injury in a fall on Christmas Eve. We will remember her always as a true light for justice, compassion, and love. Due to worsening COVID spread, there will be a small family ceremony held in coming days, to be followed by a larger celebration of life when circumstances allow. The Marsh family ask that you give in her honor to the Greening of Detroit, Planned Parenthood or any of the other organizations she supported over the years.