Marie Patricia Van Fossen

Marie peacefully went home to God on March 19th. She was the beloved daughter of the late John and Rose Varga; sister of Rose (Michael) Novak. Beloved mother of Richard and Daniel Van Fossen and Sharon Van Fossen ( Kevin) Loughery. Marie considered Kevin her third son. Loving grandmother of Tyler, Dean, Bella and Megan. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

If there was a book entitled “How to Be a Mother”, Marie would have been the author. She was the best mom a child could have! The love she showed her children will never be forgotten.

A friend to just about everyone she ever met, Marie was proud of her beloved Manayunk and Roxborough neighborhood. A friend to all – since she was a little girl on Umbria Street in Manayunk in the 1940s - all who knew her, knew of her incredible kindness, unboundless love, exuberant joy and great (legendary) contagious laughter and sense of humor.

She always seemed to gravitate toward those who were hurting in life – listening to their stories, offering solutions to their situations, in some cases finding jobs for people. Over the years many of these people were friends of her children.

Along with her beloved parents, John and Rose Varga, and her younger sister, Rose, she was raised on Umbria Street - a street full of families, joy and good times. Her beloved Aunt Esther and Uncle Mose lived up the street – in a sense she grew up in two homes, surrounded by a lot of love.

After graduating from Holy Family School in 1955, Marie attended Little Flower High School. For decades she would speak of her favorite teachers and role models in high school– Sister Terese Immaculate, SSJ and Sister Jane Margaret, SSJ. Her paper in senior year religion class, entitled Proof of the Existence of God, earned her an A. We always felt like she got the A partially because God was so alive within her!

She couldn’t have been more proud of her three children, “Richie, Danny and Sharon”, telling anyone who would listen all about what was happening in their lives.

In later years her beloved Grandchildren were her sole focus, instilling in them the values she learned as a child growing up in our neighborhood.

She was deeply religious, but was never preachy. Her actions said it all. During the years her children were in grade school, and right afterward, her great love was St. John the Baptist parish – volunteering in the school library, running a booth at the annual Christmas bazaar, chaperoning school trips, helping as a lunch mom, helping the Home and School Association. Whatever was needed, she pitched in. She would often take the many Immaculate Heart of Mary sisters to their doctor appointments. But most importantly she set a wonderful example to the children and young people in the parish.

Her house on Martin Street was the place to be in the 1970s and 1980s. The kids always knew that “Mrs. Van” was like another mom to them. They greatly appreciated her kindness and great joy.

Besides all the people, over the years she took great joy in her pets. These animals brought her great happiness in life. Her other great pastime and love was watching the Phillies and Eagles.

For many years she worked, along with her daughter Sharon, at Forever Friends Child Care and Preschool. Once again she was in her element, impacting the lives of children. Over the years many of these kids, now adults, reached out to her to thank her for her care.

Many years ago one of her great friends said to her: “Marie, God put you on this earth to make people laugh.” A true statement until the day she left this earth. She was a nonjudgmental, kind, humble person, and that is precisely why people were drawn to her. Her spirit will live on forever in her children, grandchildren and many friends.

A viewing for Marie will take place of Friday March 27th from 6-8 PM, at the Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 425 Lyceum Ave, Phila., and on Saturday March 28th 9AM at St. John the Baptist Church, 119 Rector St. Her funeral mass will follow at 10:30 AM.

Donations in Marie’s memory may be sent to the Friends of St. John the Baptist, 146 Rector Street,Philadelphia, PA 19127 or the Center For The Treatment and Study of Anxiety, Penn Medicine,University of Pennsylvania, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104.

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