Marianne Savalli Vanness

She was born in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, on August 3rd, 1962. In her early years, her family moved to Japan, then Vermont, then to Clearwater, Florida. Marianne graduated from Clearwater High School in 1980. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology from Vanderbilt University. While studying at Vanderbilt, she met David Vanness, and the two were married on April 24th, 1987. The two settled in Orlando, Florida, and moved into what became their family home in 1990.

The couple welcomed a daughter, Grace, in 1992, and a son, Ian, in 1995. Marianne remained at home with the children during their early years, during which time she also volunteered extensively with the Junior League of Greater Orlando, and with her children’s preschool. In 2003, she and David welcomed their third child, Lizzie.

After Lizzie’s birth, Marianne, inspired by her love of working with children, decided to pursue a master’s degree in education from Rollins College. She graduated with her new degree in 2006 and spent the next several years teaching in local elementary schools, including Hillcrest, which her older two children had attended and where her youngest was still enrolled at the time.

The eldest daughter of a large, Greek-Italian family, Marianne learned to cook from a young age, and developed a lifelong passion for food. Guests to Marianne’s home were always welcomed genuine warmth and treated to examples of her latest culinary obsession. After she left the school system, Marianne focused on a new career path in food, first as an instructor at Truffles and Trifles, a local facility offering cooking classes for children and adults. She later moved on to become a caterer serving private jets. Never one afraid to try something new, Marianne most recently became a professional cook for Disney, and was even part of the inaugural team for the Halcyon Starcruiser.

Marianne also had many passions, starting with photography. She learned to use a camera from her father as a child, and took countless photos of her family, friends, and travels over the years. She also tackled a wide variety of sewing and fiber arts projects, including quilting, cross-stitching, knitting, and more. Her home is full of examples of her handiwork, especially around the holidays—Marianne was known within the family for becoming obsessed with a new craft every Christmas, before moving onto another one the next year, adding new pieces and collections to their ever-growing collection of festive décor.

In addition to her prowess in the kitchen and her love of making things, Marianne was also known for her warm and generous spirit and her love of laughter. She was a loving and devoted mother, and she was always ready to make room at the dinner table for her children’s friends. She carried this maternal tendency into her professional life as well, as she took a number of younger co-workers under her wing, referring to them as her “work kids.” Marianne had a gift for forging connections, striking up conversations everywhere she went—her family joked among themselves that no matter where they go, they are bound to find someone she knows. She has even run into acquaintances in places as far away as Rome.

Marianne is survived by David, her husband of 35 years, as well as her three children, Grace (30), Ian (27), and Lizzie (19). She was taken from us too soon, and she will be deeply missed.

Services for Marianne will be held at Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park this Sunday, January 15th. Visiting starts at 11am, followed by a celebration of life at 1pm, and committal services at 2:15.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawnfuneralhomegotha.com for the Vanness family.