Dorothy Brandt Marra

On Sunday, October 18, 2020, Dorothy Marra, age 90, died in her home surrounded by family. She was a devoted wife, the supportive and loving mother of four children and the cherished grandmother of two.

Dorothy was born August 22, 1930 in Kansas City, Missouri. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from St. Teresa’s College in 1952 and a master’s degree in English from St. Louis University in 1954. On July 21, 1954 she married Daniel Marra, beginning a 66-year journey together! With that marriage, Dorothy became an honorary Italian, mastering the pastas and sauces of her mother-in-law and embracing an extended family of rowdy in-laws, nieces and a nephew.

From childhood until her latest years, Dorothy had an inquisitive mind and an adventuresome spirit. She rode a mule to the bottom of the Grand Canyon at age 58 and traveled to Italy, Norway and Russia in her 70’s. When her sight faded and travel and reading became difficult, through her vivid imagination and genuine interest in the people around her, Dorothy “attended” musicals, baseball games and an Ivy League university; she enjoyed the flowers blooming in her children’s gardens and she partook of feasts near and far.

Dorothy shared her love of the written word throughout her life, teaching college English, publishing dozens of plays and short stories for children and helping adults find magic in writing their life stories. Dorothy also had a great love of history – perhaps kindled by the years she spent as a child at the “Home for Confederate Soldiers” in Higginsville, MO where her father worked as a caretaker. Dorothy combined historical interests with her writing skills publishing three books. Cher Oncle, Cher Papa recounts the settling of the Kansas City area from the unique female perspective of the Bernice Chouteau, and Ciao Francesco describes the adventure of an American soldier shot down over German-occupied Italy during WWII. And finally, in a monumental tribute to her faith and her love of history and literature, she researched and co-authored This Far By Faith, The Story, a moving account of the pioneers who migrated west and established the Kansas City – St. Joseph Catholic Diocese. She had certainly earned, but regrettably was not awarded, an honorary PhD in history!

Dorothy’s enthusiasm for life was exemplified in her involvement in the community. When her children were young, she served as a Cub Scout “den mother” where she plunged into helping the boys build a paper Mache erupting volcano in her basement, and carted her “den” around Greater Kansas City to culinary factory tours (e.g. Hostess) that always ended with free snacks! In later years, she and Dan participated in the Independence Shepherd Center where she organized the book review sessions. Even when she could not see at all, Dorothy was known to render an enthusiastic review that kept her audience seated and rapt (sometimes even after the scheduled session had ended)! Their Catholic faith was always important to Dorothy and Dan; she and Dan have been members of St. Bernadette’s Parish for over 60 years, where she taught Catechism classes, and worked on the parish archives.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her father Walter, mother Gladys, brother Johnny, and son-in-law David Jonassen (Rose). She is survived by her husband Dan, children Paul, Mike (Kathy), Rose and Carol (Lee) and grandchildren Ryan and Elise, sister Shirley Wolfanger, brothers Charles and Mike Brandt, and numerous loving nieces and nephews who loved their “Aunt Dorothy”.

Visitation (Friday, October 23rd, 6pm–8pm, Rosary at 5:45pm) and Mass of Christian Burial (Saturday, October 24th, 10am) will both be held at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church (9020 E. 51st Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64133). Burial following mass at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Donations are suggested to The Wolfner Library for the Visually Impaired (an organization that kept Dorothy stocked with listening materials for decades) or the Sisters of St. Francis.

Checks can be made out and mailed to:

The Wolfner Talking Book and Braille Library

Attn: Donations

PO Box 387

Jefferson City MO 65102-0387

OR

The Sisters of St. Francis

2100 Noland Rd. Independence, MO 64050