Marcia A. Tannian

January 29, 1966 ~ April 26, 2025

Marcia A. (née Rosenbaum) Tannian was born on January 29, 1966 in Philadelphia, PA and raised in Wilmington, DE. Marcia’s nine-year battle with breast cancer ended on April 26, 2025 at home in the company of her two sisters and husband of 31 years on Staten Island, NY. She is predeceased by her mother Ruth Sorin Rosenbaum and her husband’s parents Francis and Beatrix Tannian.  She leaves behind her father Dr. Leonard Rosenbaum of Wilmington, her sister Cindy and brother-in-law Eyal Eisner of Israel, her sister Deborah Rosenbaum of Wilmington, sisters-in-law Monica Tannian, M. Joyce Tannian, and Michele Smith, nieces, nephews, and other extended family as well as her husband Mark F. Tannian.

Marcia’s life of curiosity and adventure led her to move beyond Wilmington to live in Boston, Paris, metro Washington D.C., Des Moines and New York City.

After high school, Marcia studied in Boston and Paris before receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of Delaware.  Marcia pursued her love of learning by taking continuing education courses in subjects such as French, American Sign Language and tennis.  Marcia completed a double graduate degree program attending the University of Maryland School of Law and University of Maryland School of Public Policy. In both programs her focus was the environment. Marcia passed the Maryland bar and was an active attorney before leaving Maryland.

Marcia served in various roles for employers in the telecommunications, federal contracting, dental insurance and software manufacturing industries. For Maryland’s legislative services agency, located in Annapolis, Marcia drafted legislative language. Marcia was a financial analyst for Iowa’s legislative services agency in Des Moines.  At Marcia’s death she was Director of Finance and Investor Relations for New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Marcia loved the living.  However, she did take exception to mosquitoes generally and insects in the house.  She showed great compassion to her immediate and extended family.  Marcia cared deeply for the humane treatment of animals, and even simulated harm to animals real or imaginary in movies caused her distress.  She was a committed vegetarian for over twenty years.    Marcia was an avid word puzzler enjoying crossword puzzles, Wordle, and Scrabble. Marcia loved the beach and water.  She enjoyed traveling to Manhattan via the Staten Island Ferry and taking scenic photos along the way.

As you reflect on your memories of Marcia, please consider donating to your local no-kill animal shelter, food pantry, women’s shelter or the Red Cross.

A private memorial celebration has been planned, and invitations will be extended to friends, family, and colleagues.