Marie Tolly

Marie Monica (Cerven) Tolly, 94, passed away on November 26, 2025.

She was born on August 5, 1931, in Pana, Illinois. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a degree in teaching. She married her husband, Don, on August 22, 1953. They moved to Erie, PA when Don took a job with GE. In 1955 they were transferred to the new GE appliance park in Louisville, KY where they lived the rest of their lives. Marie was a devout Catholic and was a founding member of St. Gabriel's Catholic Church. She was very involved in her parish community. She was a religious education teacher, a bible study leader, ran the kitchen for the church picnic, was a member of the worship and decorations committee and many other roles. She also helped to lead the Share and Care Stroke Club of Louisville. Marie was also a Girl Scout leader and a Boy Scout Den mother.

Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Blaine Tolly, her parents, Emma and Paul Cerven, two sons, John and Charles, a son-in-law, Mark Dever, a grandson, Michael Sullivan, a great grandson, Brendan Sullivan, a brother, Robert Cerven, a sister, Barbara Norris and a sister-in-law, Rebecca Cerven.

She is survived by her children, Mike (Cathy), Ann Dever, and Mark (Cathy), grandchildren, Cyndi Sullivan, Lauren Cunningham (Michael), Ashlee Johnson (David), Michael Tolly, Trisha Tolly, Rachel Johnson (Darren), Alexander Tolly, Rebecca Dever and Emily Tolly. She also had 6 great grandchildren. She leaves behind her brothers, Paul (Grace), Marty, Jim and Andy (Kathy) and a sister, Ronnie Patten (Bud) and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

Marie's funeral service will be Saturday, December 6 at 10am, at St. Gabriel Catholic Church, 5505 Bardstown Road. Visitation will be from 3pm until 8pm at Fern Creek Funeral Home, 5406 Bardstown Road on Friday, December 5, 2025. Burial to follow service at Resthaven cemetery, 4400 Bardstown Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Gabriel Catholic Church or the Archdiocese of Louisville's Mass of the Air.