Marie Marshall, right, on the campaign trail for Mayor Walsh in 2013. She died on Monday at age 60. Mike Ritter photo

Dorchester lost one of its stalwart political and civic activists on Monday. Marie Marshall, 60, died after an extended battle against cervical cancer.

Marie most recently lived in Lower Mills and was proud to say she was ‘OFD’—Originally from Dorchester. But she was a Bostonian at large with ties all over the city, particularly through her progressive political activism.

This week, tributes poured into the Reporter newsroom from her legion of fans.

“On the very first day of my Senate campaign in 2011, Marie Marshall was by my side as I shook hands at the Broadway T station – and she’s been by my side – at least in spirit – every day since then,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “Even as she battled cancer, nobody could match Marie’s fierce determination to fight for the people and the values that we hold so dear. Bruce and I send our love and prayers to Marie’s family, to her many friends, and to her beloved community of Dorchester. We’ll all keep fighting, just the way Marie would want us to.”

Mayor Marty Walsh said, “Marie was one-of-a-kind. She worked hard, and helped many. She truly left the neighborhood a little better than she found it, and she will be missed.”

Steve Bickerton, Jr. worked closely with Marie on several campaigns over the last decade.
Marie Marshall, left, with one of her political idols, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who said of Marshall “…nobody could match Marie’s fierce determination to fight for the people and the values that we hold so dear.”
“She was a worker. Someone you wanted on your team,” said Bickerton. “You know, you always hear politicians talking about ‘grassroots’ and ‘field operations’. They’re talking about people like Marie. She was grassroots personified.”

“Her single motivating factor was fairness and what is right,” said City Councilor Tito Jackson, who said he worked with Marshall on “every campaign” he’s ever been a part of. “I never received a call from Marie to help her. It was always asking for help for someone else.”

“She was such an influential campaign and neighborhood activist that I can hardly imagine what any of us will do without her,” said City Councillor Ayanna Pressley. “Dorchester, the Democratic Party, and so many elected officials, including me, owe her a huge debt of gratitude.”

State Senator Linda Dorcena Forry added, “Whether she was taking care of her mother, or helping the residents in her building, Marie was always standing up for those who often don’t have a voice. She will be missed deeply by everyone who knew her, but her spirit will live on.”
Mayor Walsh’s Policy Chief Joyce Linehan was also a close friend and neighbor of Marshall.

“Marie was incredibly generous, and fiercely loyal. She was the kind of friend you always wanted with you in any foxhole,” said Linehan. “She was a tireless crusader for social justice, and worked every day to improve our community and our world. Marie lives on in any candidate she ever worked to elect and any cause she ever campaigned to advance. She will be missed, but not forgotten.”

Marie’s survivors include her mother Anita E. Marshall, brother David Marshall, daughter Deana Marshall-Tarver, son Joseph A. Marshall, son in-law Marcus Tarver and grandchildren Anita Marshall, Kassandra Marshall-Rosa, and Joseph A. Marshall, Jr. Marie was preceded in death by her husband Ronald Nestico. Condolences to family 3-6 p.m. and tributes from 6 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, at the McHoul Family Funeral Home, 354 Adams St., Dorchester. Relatives and friends are welcome at this service, as well as a reception following at Florian Hall, 55 Hallet Street, Dorchester, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marie’s name to Rosie’s Place, 889 Harrison Ave, Boston 02118, http://www.rosiesplace.org/give.