Marie Frances Balboni

Marie Frances (Bovaird) Balboni, age 90, of Manassas VA, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2025. Marie was deeply loved and is survived by her three children: Debbie Jones (Lynn), Arlene Stewart (John), David Balboni (Susan); her five grandchildren, Dan Stewart (Sarah), Brian Stewart, Lauren Stewart, Nichole Collins, and Matthew Collins (Erin); her three great grandchildren, Delilah, Jack and Elena Stewart; her sister, Carol Wolf; sisters-in-law Marie Bovaird and Ann Bovaird and many nieces and nephews. She loved her family and her friends. Born in Boston, MA on March 12, 1934, Marie was the daughter of Charles Francis and Mary Agnes (Turner) Bovaird. She was the second child in a family of seven and a second mother to many of her siblings. Marie grew up in West Roxbury, MA where she graduated from high school. She worked as a nurse’s aide with the hope of attending nursing school, but due to other family obligations she attended cosmetology school and worked as a hairdresser. It was during that time that she met and fell in love with Louis Angelo Balboni (Lou). They married in West Roxbury MA on October 8, 1955. As a young couple, Marie and Lou spent two years in Germany with the US Army Corps of Engineers, exploring Europe on a dime. They returned to the US, moving to Owego, NY. Marie would stay home to raise their children and volunteer as she and Lou moved with IBM between NY, VA and CT. Marie loved doing things for others and always gave back to the many communities she lived in. She was a girl scout leader, a 4-H leader, involved in the PTO, church and garden clubs. If you ever stopped by to visit her, there would always be cookies and coffee available. She loved to sew and to cook, the house often filled with the aroma of garlic as she replicated her mother-in-law’s Italian recipes for the family. Marie enjoyed traveling and had opportunities to explore the US as well as many other countries. Marie loved spending time with her grandchildren, gardening and working in the yard. Family and friends describe Marie as sweet and kind. Over the years, she and Lou opened their home to “Fresh Air Children” from New York City, to exchange students from Italy, and to anyone else who wanted to visit or needed a place to stay. After moving to Manassas VA in 1981, she joined the Prince William Hospital Auxiliary, the Centennial Garden Club and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and became an active member in each. When David opened Ashby Jewelers, she always made time to help. She wholeheartedly supported Lou in his own volunteer efforts. She taught her children and grandchildren many lessons, the greatest being the importance of helping others, to be a good friend and to always be kind. Visitation will be held Sunday, March 16th from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center St. Manassas, VA. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, March 17th at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 12975 Purcell Rd. Manassas, VA. Burial will follow at 1:30 at Quantico National Cemetery 18424 Joplin Rd Triangle, VA. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made In Memory of Marie F. Balboni • Prayer Garden Project of the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA 20136. • Arthritis National Research Foundation, PO Box 745936, Los Angeles, CA 90047-5936 curearthritis.org • Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777 donations@michaeljfox.org

Marie Frances Balboni

March 12, 1934 - March 10, 2025