Obituary of Marianne C. Lazarou

Mrs. Marianne C. “Mickey” Lazarou, 91, of Amsterdam, New York, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2021 at Ellis Hospital surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on April 23, 1929 in Ashtabula, Ohio to the late Guy and Laura (Wagner) Carleton.  

Marianne grew up spending time at their family home in Ashtabula or their summer residence at Lake Erie, both of which she loved very much!  She had a very close relationship with her parents and her older brother and sister and pursued many interests with her family as well as on her own.  At a very early age, she showed an interest in sewing while designing and making new clothes for her doll collection.  This interest continued throughout her school years and Marianne became quite a talented and accomplished seamstress, so much so that her teacher recommended her for a scholarship after high school. But Marianne decided to attend Fenn College in Cleveland, Ohio to study Merchandising.  While in college, she worked for Sears Roebuck Company as part of a work/study program.  It was at Fenn College that she met George Lazarou, and the two just hit it off sharing the same interest in music, literature and seeing the sights of Cleveland.

She was united in marriage to George Lazarou, also of Amsterdam, on May 28, 1949.  They settled in Amsterdam and raised 7 children on Sanford Avenue.  Marianne was a devoted mother and wife and was very involved in all of her children's interests.  She could be found on any given day helping at the elementary school as a room mother, at the sewing machine making a Halloween costume or assisting with a Home Economics project or around the baseball or softball field supporting George as he coached several of their children or providing Kool-Aid and snacks to the team.  Marianne and George excelled at parenthood and helped to create so many precious memories for their children and grandchildren.  The couple shared 62 years together, until his passing on January 18, 2012.  Marianne loved her family very much and she had a tremendous spiritual faith.  She was an avid reader who loved all genres of books.  She also enjoyed gardening very much because she was always eager to see what would (or wouldn't) come up.  Marianne also loved to sew up into her later years.  She was also a huge fan of both the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees! 

Her loving family includes her sons, Robert (Brenda) Lazarou of Amsterdam, Richard (Debbie) Lazarou of Houston, TX, and George Lazarou of Phoenix, AZ; daughters Catherine (Joseph) Demars of Amsterdam, and Nancy Bernard (Joe Piska) of Amsterdam; Grandchildren Koren, Anna, Elizabeth, Erik, Kara, Grace, Richard, Emily, Jacob, Megan, Beth, Michael, Nicholas and Michael; 13 great grandchildren; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

In addition to her parents, Guy and Laura, and her husband George, Marianne is predeceased by her sons, Peter, and Thomas Lazarou; sister Nancy F. Carleton; brother Franklin C. Carleton; brothers-in-law, Paul, James, Costa and Aristotle "Dolly" Lazarou; as well as by her sister-in-law, Christine Allen.    

Funeral services will be held privately, at the convenience of the family. Interment will take place in the family plot of the Fairview Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest with George.

In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Marianne can be made to Fairview Cemetery Association, Grounds Maintenance, 272 Steadwell Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010.   

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010.

Online condolences may be made at www.brbsfuneral.com