Marion B. Almquist

Marion Black Almquist was born on May 16, 1932 in Port Jervis, New York, the daughter of the late Faythe and Leo Black.  She graduated from Milford High School in 1948, attended Waynesburg College and graduated from the New York Medical College, Flower Fifth Avenue Hospital School of Nursing in 1953.

She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Mercy College in 1978.  In 1954 she introduced to Pike County the Early Intervention Program, forerunner to the Center for Developmental Disabilities (CDD).

She devoted her professional life to children with special needs and was involved in many volunteer leadership positions with foundations targeting children with disabilities.  Marion retired in 2010 after forty two inspiring years.

Having devoted her professional life to children with special needs, Marion was the first recipient of the Pennsylvania Early Intervention Award. She was a member of the Milford United Methodist Church, the Advisory Board of Pike County Children and Youth, Board of Directors of Mercy Hospital, and a Trustee of Milford Community House and Biondo Memorial Foundation.

Surviving family include husband of 63 years Ed, sons Richard and Jon Almquist, daughter Gretchen Copeland, daughter-in-law Stephanie Almquist, son-in-law Lowell Copeland and grandchildren Adam Almquist Copeland, Dana Marianne Copeland, Ryan Patton and Devon Elizabeth Almquist.  She is also survived by a brother Dr. Leo Black of Jacksonville, Florida, cousins, nieces and nephews.  Her sister Dorothy Davenport precedes her in death.

A memorial service will be scheduled in the future.  Memorial donations may be made to the Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, 315 Harford St, Milford, PA 18337; the Center for Developmental Disabilities of Pike County, 101 Pocono Dr., Milford; or the Milford United Methodist Church, 206 E. Ann St., Milford.

Arrangements by Stroyan Funeral Home, 405 West Harford St., Milford, PA.