Marianne Rash Wood Rowe

ROWE, Marianne Rash Wood, age 90, of Cincinnati, OH died peacefully on Friday, November 29, 2024. 

Marianne’s life of service to others began with her birth on November 20, 1934, in Louisville, KY, to late parents Maj. Gen. Dillman A. Rash and Nancy (nee Batson) Rash. She grew up on Barberry Lane in Louisville, and graduated from Louisville Collegiate School. She continued her education with distinction at Vasser College in Poughkeepsie, NY. She earned her B.A in the Classics before returning to Louisville. In October 1959, Marianne married W. Roberts Wood, Jr. She then pursued the most significant and meaningful job of her life, raising her 3 children. She found great joy in spending time with her family, whether it was lovingly preparing a home cooked meal, opening her home to all of the neighborhood kids as a “second home”, serving as tutor, taxi, coach, or cheerleader. Through her example, Marianne instilled in her children a love of learning, a strong faith, appreciation for the arts, enjoyment of travel, and a dedication to service.

Her professional career began in 1979 as Director of Christian Education at the Indian Hill Church where she transformed lives of youth, staff, and the congregation. In 1985, she assumed the role as Vice President of Development at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital where she leveraged her skills and expertise in fund raising to improve lives and help Cincinnati Children’s become one of the preeminent institutions in the country.

Having served on several community and non-profit boards, Marianne was a true leader and brought enthusiasm and dedication to the organizations she supported. She served the Junior League of Cincinnati, Beech Acres, University of Cincinnati School of Nursing, Freestore Foodbank, Episcopal Retirement Home, Joy Outdoors Education and many other charities. Marianne opened her life and home to the neighborhood children, introduced many to active volunteer service through serving meals at the Cincinnati Alcoholic Drop-in Center and through her efforts at the Cincinnati Juvenile Detention Center “2020”. To everyone she met, through all walks of life, she offered a listening ear. It is safe to say that Marianne had a profound impact on the lives of all she touched. 

Marianne truly lived her life by the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”!

She is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Peggy Brown and Nancy Fabbri; first husband and father of her children, Roberts Wood Jr.; and second husband of over 30 years, Snowden Rowe. 

Marianne is survived by her sons, Roberts (Lynn) Wood III, Frank Wood, and Charles (Carolyn) Wood; stepchildren, Rob Rowe, Stoddard (Becca) Rowe, and Greg (Emily) Rowe; grandchildren, Katherine (Joe) Wood, Elizabeth Wood, Andrew Wood, Harrison Wood, Emily (Wyche) Wilson, John Wood, and Charlotte Wood; great-grandson, Everett Wood-Raffoul; and numerous extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday December 16 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 100 Miami Ave. Terrace Park, OH 45174. Following the service, a visitation will be held in the church. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Freestore Foodbank at give.freestorefoodbank.org or YWCA Greater Cincinnati at ywcacincinnati.org.

Marianne’s family would like to thank the staff at The Sanctuary of Wilmington Place and Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton for the excellent care they provided to Marianne.