Marianne Ferrari

Ferrari, Marianne

passed away on September 22. 2025. Ferrari lived a life stitched together with love, laughter, and the small, ordinary moments that end up mattering most. Born on October 23, 1951, in New Jersey to John and Marion Masterson, Marianne grew into someone whose presence filled a room not by volume but by warmth. Everyone who knew her is grateful to have shared her life, and been touched by her humor, kindness, and generous spirit.

Family was Marianne's greatest joy. Nothing brought more delight than time with her family, especially her granddaughters, Anna and Stella. Each visit was a story in itself-games around the table, playful arguments about who really won, art projects, hugs at the door so enthusiastic they became rituals. Marianne will forever be remembered as their Mia, a loving, affectionate and inspiring grandmother.

Marianne had a traveler's heart, journeying across the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia, always returning to Italy, a place that felt like home.. She treasured her friends as family-laughing over cosmopolitans, playing Mah-jong, or simply finding joy in being together. In retirement, she returned to the piano, her home filled with music and the warmth of recitals shared with neighbors and friends. She also embraced an active life, with one of her newest joys being Tai Chai.

Beyond her passions, Marianne devoted herself to serving others-whether through Medicare counseling, tutoring and reading to children at RCMA, or lending time to church committees. Her professional life was equally rich. Before retiring in 2008, she built a celebrated career as an HR Executive with PepsiCo and Tropicana, culminating as Chief Human Resources Officer at Tropicana. Yet, for Marianne, the heart of the work was never in titles or tasks, but in the people she met along the way whose lives she touched-one of them being her beloved husband, Bill. They built a wonderful and loving marriage over the past 36 years.

Marianne is survived by her husband, William J Ferrari; step-daughter and son-in-law, Katherine A. Ferrari and Philip Daitch; brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Pam Masterson; nephew and wife, Matthew and Andrea Masterson; niece and husband, Joanna and Scott Whitbeck as well as great nieces and great nephews who will carry forward the lessons learned: to embrace fiercely, laugh often, compete playfully, and never leave kindness unsaid. She was preceded in death by her brother, Philip Masterson. as well as her father and mother, John and Marion Masterson.

To honor Marianne's life, a service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of St Petersburg at 10:30 am on Wednesday, November 5. All who knew her are welcome to join. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to RCMA (Immokalee, FL), St Petersburg Free Clinic, The Parkinson's Foundation or Michael J. Fox Foundation.

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