Reflection of Life

"The ocean was my backyard," is a fond reflection of Anne Mymie Marquis, who was born in Cape Palmas, Liberia, West Africa, to Henry and Fannie Wisner Cooper. She shared a close bond with her sister and best friend, Lucinda “Barbara” Gardiner, who, along with her adoring husband, Dr. James Henry Marquis, and their firstborn baby girl, preceded her in death. 

 Anne spent her early years in Liberia, where she developed a deep and abiding relationship with Christ. From an early age, she was tenacious, studious, thoughtful, and driven. Anne began her career as a nurse in Liberia, harboring a dream to study in America and return to serve her homeland. However, the Lord had another plan for her. Her pursuit of an American degree would change the course of her life. Anne often shared how she believed her choice to come to America was divinely ordained, receiving the last available space on the ship was confirmation of that calling. 

 Anne embarked on her journey from West Africa to the United States, determined to pursue her bachelor’s in nursing at Boston University. It was during this time that a persistent young man, James Henry Marquis, convinced her to join him on a date. Their courtship blossomed into a lifelong partnership, and James would recount the story of her agreeing to be his wife every year as a special anniversary gift to her. 

 The couple faced their share of heartache, losing their firstborn daughter shortly after birth. However, they were blessed with three sons: Milton Anthony, Curtis Francis, and Harold Gerard. Throughout their 59 years of marriage, Anne was a steadfast partner, playing a crucial role in helping James attain his Ph.D. in 1963. Their union, filled with love, music, faith, and mutual respect, was only severed by James's passing in 2014.

 Spiritually, Anne and James raised their sons in the Catholic church with St. Clare’s Catholic Church and St. Teresa’s Catholic Church in Albany, Georgia. She attended faithfully and participated in all the outreach activities of each. Professionally, Anne used her skill and compassion as a nurse across the U.S., with stops in New York, Mississippi, Iowa, and South Carolina. She went on to serve as the Director of Health Services at Albany State University, where she would later retire. A hallmark of Anne’s character was her loving and caring spirit- she was always there to lend a hand. If someone had no place to spend the holidays, they would be invited to spend them with Nurse Marquis. If a student could not afford their medicine, she would quietly cover the cost. Anne inspired other professionals in the community to extend similar kindness, encouraging them to help students in need. 

 Anne's impact on the lives of students was profound, with many making pilgrimages to Albany from across the country with their grandchildren to express their appreciation for the sacrifices she made to make their time at school easier. Humbly, she would offer a chuckle and her famous line: “I just shared one potato chip is all.” Anne was a mother to many, she helped rear and support her beloved nieces and nephews and raised a great-niece as her granddaughter.

Anne created community everywhere she went, nowhere was this more evident than her membership with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Delta Eta Omega Chapter. Anne was a constant presence at weekly meetings, outings, and boule (national convention) until moving to Maryland in 2015. She enjoyed the travel and cherished the relationships with Sorors young and old. 

 In Maryland, Anne’s warm and approachable nature made her transition to the Sunrise Senior Community seamless. She quickly bonded with her tablemates and enjoyed participating in social events. Her faith continued to be a source of comfort, and she found peace in joining the St. John Neumann church family. Even when she could no longer attend Mass in person, she cherished the weekly visits from the pastor. The staff at Sunrise became like family to Anne, affectionately calling her “momma,” “mother,” or “auntie,” while she lovingly referred to them as “my baby.” 

 Anne’s life was marked by grace, strength, and an unshakeable faith. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and the many lives she touched throughout her nursing career. She will be remembered with deep love and admiration by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons Milton (Pam) of Potomac, Maryland; Curtis (Julie) of Mountain View, California; and Harold (Tamica) of Cleveland, Ohio. Her grandchildren: Madia Cooper-Ashirifi (Eric) of Atlanta, Georgia; Elizabeth Marquis of New York City, New York; Olivia Marquis of Potomac, Maryland; and James Chase Marquis of Wooster, Ohio. Great-grandchildren Cooper Ashirifi, Ellis Ashirifi, and a host of nieces, nephews, Cooper relatives, and friends near and far.

 A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 7th at 1:00 pm, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 9000 Warfield Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20882 followed by a repast. The Mass will be available via livestream on the church’s youtube channel. The family will be receiving visitors the day before on Friday, September. 6th, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Pumphrey Funeral Home, 300 W. Montgomery Avenue, Rockville, MD. 

Donations in Anne’s memory can be made to her sorority: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., P. O. Box 3822, Albany, GA 31701. A PayPal location is also available for donations. Humbly Submitted, The Family