Bernadine Robie Marsrow

“She studied with all her might, but the piano is her delight” (Bernadine Robaszkiewicz 1942).

Bernadine Marsrow (nee Robaszkiewicz), 99, of Toledo Ohio, passed away on March 1st, 2024, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Bernadine, or Bernie to her friends, was born June 6th, 1924. True to her high school yearbook quote, her life centered around education and the piano. She took up the instrument at eight years old, mastering works from renowned composers such as Chopin and Beethoven. She was giving piano lessons by the time she was a teenager. She graduated from Libby High School in 1942 and the University of Toledo in 1946, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She completed her master’s degree in Piano Proficiency at Washington University in 1950. She put those degrees to use and taught at Martin School, St. Stanislaus, Lincolnshire, and Hopewell School for decades. After retirement, she volunteered at Meadow Montessori School (MMS). From 2007 to 2020, she tutored MMS students in French and handwriting, winning the Volunteer of the Year award in 2016 for her efforts. She further enjoyed her retirement by giving private piano lessons, writing poetry, painting, sketching, and watching the Andy Griffith Show.

In between her educational pursuits, Bernadine married Jim Marsrow of Flint Michigan, as the bells tolled 4 ‘o’clock in an Indiana courthouse on October 29th, 1949. They returned to Toledo where they settled on a farm tending to their collies and horses. One particular pony was named Champion Spark Plug (Sparky) in honor of Bernie’s time serving the war effort as a regular Rosie the Riveter at the factory of the same name. They spent their golden years watching Jeopardy and enjoying their family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank J., and Mary M. (nee Grajczyk) Robaszkiewicz, her siblings, and her husband Jim. Surviving her are her son, Chris Marsrow of Toledo Ohio; daughter, D’Orcie Marsrow-Jablonski, (Jeff), of Erie Michigan; grandchildren Ross, Geoff, and Jill, and extended family.

She will be laid to rest at Toledo Memorial Park in a private ceremony on Thursday, March 7th. Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Meadow Montessori School 1670 S Raisinville Rd 48161, to support their music program or any environmental program. A special thanks to Dr. C. Bates and his staff for many years of care.