Marion Frances (Zoref) Eastman

Marion F. Eastman, (Momma), died June 13, 2020, at the age of 92 following complications from a heart condition.  Marion lived a mostly healthy life, successfully overcoming a number of health setbacks in the last several years.  In fact, one of her sons recently told her she was like a cat with nine lives.   Her witty response was “Just don’t tell me how many I have used”!

Marion F. Zoref was born to Helen and Max Zoref on June 1, 1928, in New York City.  After high school, Marion attended art school and modeled for a brief period of time.  She married Wilson Hume Richard (Dick) Eastman on December 18, 1949, in Washington, DC.  Marion and her Navy husband were stationed in Hawaii, England, Germany and then back to Fort Meade, Maryland in 1965.  In 1967, the couple bought the “home of her dreams” in Laurel, Maryland.   

Marion was an amazing wife and mother and being a homemaker was her passion.  June Cleaver, pearls and all, could not hold a candle to her.  Marion loved to cook and maintain her home and she openly welcomed visitors.  A perfect day for Marion was warm weather, food cooking in the kitchen, windows wide open so the house was “fresh and clean”, and the 1970s version of WASH 97.1 filling the air with music.   

For years, Marion was active in the Navy’s Ladies Auxiliary of the Fleet Reserve and as a volunteer for the Red Cross.  She was a den leader for cub scouts, a room mother for elementary school and a willing contributor whenever cupcakes, brownies or cookies were needed.

Marion loved her three sons and often offered them the chance to move back home even when they were into their 50s and 60s.  This was tempting to her sons, particularly because of the way “Momma would turn the sheets down and crack the bedroom window just so”.  Whichever son was with her was her favorite, but brothers we know who the favorite really was, don’t we?  Marion also adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She never failed to show interest in her extended family or ask how each one was doing and she cherished her times with them.   Marion’s fondness for the moon, cats and pumpkins was well known.  It was not unusual for Marion to have a display of cats and pumpkins in her house, even in the middle of the summer.

Marion leaves a legacy of one who was truly loved by all, who found good in everyone she met and who always stood by her family.  She had no enemies, only love.  

Marion Eastman is survived by her husband Wilson H. Eastman, son Mike and his wife Colleen, son Bobby and his wife Colette, son Larry and his wife Helen, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her oldest grandson, Sean.  She is also survived by her sister-in-law Kathy, nieces, Leslie, Stefanie, Diane, Tommie Lynn, and nephew, Paul.  

The Eastman family is truly grateful to the staff at Lighthouse Senior Living in Ellicott City for the love and care they showed to Marion over the last several years.  

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Marion Frances (Zoref) Eastman, please visit our Tree Store.