Marie Louise Etgen

Marie Louise Marchetti Etgen, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2025 at the age of 92 in the company of her husband of 70 years James Robert Etgen. Born on March 1, 1933 in Richmond, Virginia, Marylou was a vibrant spirit whose warmth and easy laugh touched the lives of everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. Although she held many jobs including secretary, seamstress, and librarian, Marylou always said her primary passion was raising her six children. She is remembered for dancing while she lovingly cooked meals based on recipes handed down from her mother and relatives in Italy. She was a nurturing mother to her 6 children, Ken, Trish, Rob, Lou, John and Paul, and a doting grandmother to her 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, who adored their "Nonni." Marylou took great joy in hosting large family gatherings, filling her home with laughter, love, and the aromas from her delicious cooking. Marylou took great pride in her Italian heritage with regular visits to her ancestral family home in Barga (Province di Luca) in northern Tuscany. These trips revolved around animated conversations with relatives and stops at important places: where her mother worked as a chef; the site of her parent’s first kiss; the hiding place for relatives in WWII. Marylou spoke Italian fluently and was an active member of the Giuseppe Verdi Lodge of the Sons of Italy in Richmond where she enjoyed monthly luncheons with her sister and other friends and relatives. Marylou was also an avid athlete with particular talent for tennis and golf. Marylou and her husband Jim were an award winning tennis doubles pair. She had a lifelong passion for walking in the woods and for decades led a hike up a mountain on her birthday each year which her kids dubbed “Mumma to the Mountain.” Famously, Marylou and her hiking group of 70-80 year olds found themselves lost on a lengthy hike within the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia. They survived a cold and rainy night with comfort and good cheer around the fire Marylou built. Marylou is survived by her husband Jim Etgen, her six children Ken (Wanda), Trish (Mike), Rob (Suzanne), Lou (Cindy), John (Cheryl), and Paul, her 14 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, her sister Lena (Marchetti) Donnini of Richmond, Virginia, and many cherished friends. She was preceded in death by her two brothers Raymond (Laura) and Peter (Bonnie) Marchetti. A celebration of Marylou's life will be held privately near Bryce Resort, her home for over forty years of retirement, on June 9. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to Giuseppe Verdi Lodge at 7342 Verdi Lane in Mechanicsville, Va. 23116, or Our Lady of the Shenandoah Mission Chapel at 240 Fritzel Way, Basye, Va. 22810. Marie Louise Marchetti Etgen will be profoundly missed, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of those she loved and who loved her in return.

Marie Louise Etgen

March 1, 1933 - June 3, 2025