Maria E. Marrero

Maria E. Marrero passed peacefully at home in the arms of her loving wife, Sandy Boyer of 40 years, on Friday, July 25th. For eight years, they lived courageously and gratefully each day with Maria’s ovarian cancer. Born in Matanzas, Cuba, Maria, with her brother Lino, came to the U.S. as unaccompanied minors through the clandestine Peter Pan Brigade (Operación Pedro Pan) organized by the Catholic Welfare Bureau. Later, she was joined by her parents, who escaped and settled the family in Ft. Lauderdale, where they became naturalized US citizens.

Maria described her life as rich and blessed by the gifts of her spouse, family, friends, pets, travel, creating, and theater. Her love of and talents for the arts led her to pursue degrees, paving the way for a professional journey as an actor, costume, set, lighting and makeup designer, culminating in a tenured full professorship at Syracuse University, which honored her as Emeritus Professor of Theater Design and Technology in 2021 upon her retirement. Her distinguished SU teaching and Syracuse Stage Resident Costumer and Designer career spanned 39 years.

 She was recognized for her commitment to students’ academic and professional successes as she mentored them to fulfill their dreams. She provided departmental leadership in curriculum design for the emerging technologies in her field. In 2018, there was a Syracuse University exhibition of her works highlighting her unique artistic style, versatility and contributions as an artist and clothing designer–“Character & Collaboration,” a retrospective of her career in theatrical costume design. Since 1977, she also worked as a freelance designer serving many regional and national theaters including the Apollo Theater in Chicago, Actors Theater of Louisville, the Berkshire Theater Festival, Burt Reynolds Jupiter Theater, Delaware Theater Company, ESIPA “the Egg” in Albany, Playmakers Repertory Theater, Florida Studio Theater, Indiana Repertory Theater, Rochester’s GEVA Theater and Buffalo Studio Arena, the Vineyard Theater and the Baroque Opera Company in New York City.

She was predeceased by her parents, Lino and Olga Rodriquez Marrero and brother, Lino Marrero, Jr. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of her spouse, Sandy; brother, Jose; sisters, Olga Marrero and Neyda Donato; sisters-in-law, Terry Kelly and Gail Moore; brothers-in-law, Gary Schroeder, Steve Donato, and Mike Kelley; plus many nieces, nephews and their offspring. Her many friends, colleagues, students and mentees will always cherish her presence in their lives.

A special thanks to oncologist Dr. Wiley Bunn and his team for their abiding care. The family is forever grateful to Hospice Nurse, Patti Whitney, for her compassionate support in the final 4 days.

 A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. 

Instead of flowers, you are invited to donate to the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ (VPA) Department of Drama: Felix E. Cochren, Jr. Memorial Scholarship in memory of Maria E. Marrero. The address is: Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts' (VPA) Department of Drama, 640 Skytop Road 2nd Floor, Syracuse, NY 13244-5160. 

 To leave a message of condolence for Maria's family, or to share a special memory of Maria, please sign the guestbook below. 

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