Marion L. Pongrass, age 69, of Painesville, Ohio passed away Sunday, March 20, 2022, at Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland, OH. She was born August 31, 1952, in Grafton, West Virginia to Larry and Rheta (Fortney) Westerman.

She loved animals and worked as a manager at Pinewood Pet Lodge in Painesville, Ohio for over 20 years. Marion enjoyed being of service, whether it was helping a friend, family member, or an animal in need. She would do anything for anyone she cared about. Although she didn't have much, she never hesitated to share what she had. She loved all wildlife and enjoyed feeding the birds and deer in her backyard. She especially loved cardinals. She loved watching horse racing and never missed seeing a derby. She was a huge football fan and loved the Denver Broncos. Her favorite movies were Avatar and Harry Potter. She was an avid reader and carried a book everywhere she went. Some of her favorite authors were J.K. Rowling, Sandra Brown, Mary Higgins Clark and Nora Roberts. She was a wonderful poet and gave many poems as gifts to her loved ones that will forever be cherished.

Marion is survived by her daughter, Rachel (Dan) Belcher of Mentor; son, Joe Fortney; grandson, Logan Belcher; granddaughter, Cody Starr; brother, Michael (Kitty) Zorik of Perry; sisters, Marye Etta Fairchild of Concord Twp., Michell (Steve) Walczak of Painesville Twp. and Marie (Jack) Baumler of Oberlin, OH.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her daughter, LeAnn Starr.

A Memorial Service will be held at Spear-Mulqueeny Funeral Home 667 Mentor Avenue in Painesville at a time to be announced. Interment will be at Perry Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in her name to: HSUS, ASPCA, WWF

World Wildlife Fund
1250 24th Street, NW P.O. Box 97180, Washington DC 20090
Tel: 1-800-960-0993
Web: http://www.worldwildlife.org/

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
424 E. 92nd St, New York NY 10128-6804
Web: https://www.aspca.org/

Humane Society of the United States
1255 East 23rd Street NW Ste 45, Washington DC 20037