Marion Campbell, 1929–2026, ‘lived with joy, courage and gratitude’

Marion J. (Fletcher) Campbell, died at home on Friday, May 8, 2026. She was 96. 

Marion J. Fletcher was born on Dec. 20, 1929 in Boston, a daughter of the late Arthur and Jane (Quinn) Fletcher. Raised in Somerville she was a graduate of Somerville High School with the class of 1946. She married Somerville native Roderick B. Campbell on Feb. 4, 1951 in Saint Catherine of Genoa Church. Her beloved husband, Rod, died Feb. 7, 1963.

Marion worked as a secretary to Principals Jack Regan and John Graceffa of Waltham High School for over 25 years, retiring in 1992. she had been a resident of Waltham for over sixty-eight years before moving to Youville Place in Lexington. 

Marion’s life was grounded in her faith and her family, the two pillars that guided everything she did. She embraced life fully and loved the people in it with an open, generous heart. Her sense of adventure never faded—whether traveling, exploring new places, or zip‑lining at 85 and jet‑skiing at age 80 with a smile that said she was just getting started. She lived with joy, courage and gratitude, leaving behind a legacy of love and a reminder to savor every moment.

In addition to her husband, Rod, she was predeceased by her siblings, Margaret Roderick and Shirley Banks, and her grandson, Richard Campbell.

She leaves her children, Jane A. Campbell-Villarreal (Dr. Arturo) of Watertown, Richard A. Campbell (Denise) of Waltham, Stephen A. Campbell (Mona) of Seattle, Washington and Paul R. Campbell of Pinehurst, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Jennifer Ling (Aaron), Stacey Campbell, Mark Campbell-Foster (Jason), Katie Luther, Kristen Curley, Taylor Flett (Capt. Thomas) and Paige Campbell; her great-grandchildren, Jared, Harrison, Britnei, Isabella, Ava, Evan, Campbell, Smith, Tessa, Will, John, Avery and Orion; and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Marion’s life by gathering for a morning wake from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12 at Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, (Rt. 20) Waltham before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road where her funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.