Marianne W. Rodgers

Marianne W. Rodgers, 73, of Naples, FL, died November 23, 2017. Born November 9, 1944, in Portland, ME, she was the daughter of the late Philip J. and Irene V. (Collins) Ward. Marianne graduated from South Portland High School and then attended the University of Maine at Orono earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She worked as a nurse at Yale-New Haven Hospital, West Virginia University Hospital and Maine Medical Center. She went on to complete a Master of Science in Parent Child Health Nursing from Boston University in 1981 and Ed.D. in Education from Vanderbilt University, Peabody College.

Marianne built an exemplary career at the University of Southern Maine that spanned nearly three decades as professor emerita of nursing. She twice set aside personal interests to serve as interim dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. In addition to her role as the College’s chief executive officer, she mentored new leaders within the College and provided guidance to faculty and staff. She also chaired both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. Marianne initiated the accelerated nursing program that brought non-nursing baccalaureate graduates into the field of nursing. After retiring from the University of Southern Maine she moved to Naples and assumed the role of Director of the School of Nursing at Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL from 2007 to 2010.

She retired in December 2010 and truly enjoyed living in southwest Florida embracing the warm weather and life on the Gulf of Mexico. She spent her retirement improving her golf game, practicing yoga in the Naples Botanical Gardens, playing bridge, appreciating arts performances and art shows, having dinner with girlfriends on 5th Avenue and adventures with the Solos Group from Forest Glen. She spent time with lifelong friends from Maine who also lived in Florida and built many new friendships.

She also enjoyed traveling. Marianne visited Alaska and San Antonio with friends, ventured on solo trips to France and Italy, hiked the Grand Canyon with her daughter, Amber and vacationed in the Bahamas and Siesta Key with daughter, Holly. She also enjoyed cheering on grandson, Ryan at many ballfields across Georgia.

Marianne is survived by her two daughters; Holly I. Rodgers of Naples and Amber R. McGrath-Guterman and her husband, Seth Guterman of Marietta, GA; three grandchildren, Ryan McGrath, Celie Guterman and Simon Guterman; and one grandpuppy, Lulu; her brother, Franklin J. Ward and his wife, June of Scarborough, ME.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 30th, 2:00PM at St. Peter the Apostle, 5130 Rattlesnake Hammock Road, Naples, 34113. A celebration of Marianne’s life will occur in Maine in January 2018. Details will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to: Immokalee High School, 701 Immokalee Drive, Immokalee, FL 34142. Checks should be made to Immokalee High School with Marianne W. Rodgers noted in the memo line.

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