In loving memory of
Elizabeth Eleanor Marsh
January 21, 1941 - January 12, 2021
Elizabeth Eleanor Marsh née Kerr (Köcsis), died on January 12, 2021 just 9 days short of her 80th birthday. Eleanor was born January 21, 1941 in Giffnock, Scotland to Frank and Rose Kerr and emigrated with them and her older brother Peter to Frankston, Australia in 1949 onboard the RMS Cameronia, where her sister Rosemary was born. Completing high school she worked as a teller at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia before going to nursing school and becoming a Registered Nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne. There she worked in the neurosurgical unit with Dr. Frank Morgan and colleagues.
She moved to Sydney in 1963 and became a ward sister in the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) under Matron Nelson working for Dr. Frank Mills team in the general surgery, D4 surgical unit. There in 1965 she met and married Dr. Harold Michael Marsh, the true love of her life.
After living several years abroad during Michael's residency at the Mayo Clinic, they returned to Sydney where their 3 children were born; and in 1974 moved to Rochester, Minnesota where they raised their family on Cairnbrae Farms.
In Rochester, Eleanor worked briefly as an RN before going into arts management. She managed the Rochester Civic Theater for a time and served as General Manager of the Rochester Symphony Orchestra, succeeding her good friend Marianne Segura and aiding Maestro Jere Lantz, Artistic Director and conductor.
When Michael moved to Detroit in 1989, Eleanor stayed in Rochester to close their affairs and aide their youngest daughter, Lexie, to complete high school, before moving to Grosse Pointe in 1990 where they have made their home for over 30 years, twice as long as she'd lived anywhere else in her life.
In Detroit Eleanor became active in civic affairs and the arts once more, serving as President of the Board of the Greening of Detroit, and later as advisor; as President and then member of Ibex; member in the Daughters of the British Empire; Board member of the Ecology Center; and avid supporter of the Planned Parenthood and numerous other clubs and organizational committees.
Eleanor's wide circle of acquaintances amongst Michigan arts and foundation executives, many of whom had also worked in Minnesota and had met her there, served her well in all aspects of aid to her chosen organizations.
Eleanor is survived by her devoted spouse of 55 years, her brother, sister and three loving children, Dr. H. Nicholas Marsh, Libby Marsh and Lexie Marsh and their loving spouses, Dr. Julia Brain, Adam Sopko and Bob Regan respectively, and her five adoring grandchildren, Hannah and Libby Regan, Xavier Marsh, and Beatrice and Nora Sopko.
Eleanor was a force to be reckoned with and leaves an enduring legacy of strength, courage, and persistence to those who knew her. She left us suddenly after sustaining a severe head injury in a fall on Christmas Eve. We will remember her always as a true light for justice, compassion, and love.
Due to worsening COVID spread, there will be a small family ceremony held in coming days, to be followed by a larger celebration of life when circumstances allow. The Marsh family ask that you give in her honor to the Greening of Detroit (https://www.greeningofdetroit.com/), Planned Parenthood (https://www.plannedparenthood.org/), or any of the other organizations she supported.