EULOGY
Marianne – Loving Wife of David Isted-Dearly loved Mother of Stephen, Michelle and Alan.  Grandmother to Chrissie Jessica and Simon, Joseph and Archie, Amber and Nathan.
Marianne was born in Malta on 8th October 1936 to Joseph and Winifred Sciortino. She was the eldest of two girls her sister Theresa arriving 4 years later.
Marianne attended the Sacred Heart Convent School as a weekly border-She loved her school days and being high spirited was always up to mischief and getting into trouble with the nuns. She had many close friends and was a natural leader
Marianne and her sister, had a very happy child hood despite growing up in difficult circumstances living through the Siege of Malta. Her sister Theresa remembered the fun they used to have as small children when playing imaginative games, which Marianne had thought up, directed and choreographed and in which she was the star or the heroine while Theresa had to do the minor parts!
Once school life was over Marianne entered the world of work at Barclays Bank. She was part of the 'relief pool' at head office and would be sent out to bank branches to help when staff were missing because of illness or vacation. One of the managers said “we looked forward to her visits because of her friendly and bubbly personality”-but another straight laced branch manager didn’t agree -he thought she was taking up too much time chatting (and even smoking!!!!!)". Her job at Barclays was particularly pleasing to her father as he himself was a bank official and later Branch Manager. Marianne worked at the Valletta head office until her marriage to David
Marianne met David on a “sort of” Blind Date.

David was in the Royal fleet Auxiliary stationed in Malta and had gone out with a group of friends for coffee and Marianne was with this group–he didn’t speak to Marianne that day but on his way home said to his friend ”that’s the sort of girl I would like to meet”. Soon after Marianne was to fall madly in love with her dashing Radio officer because after returning from a Naval exercise a meeting had been arranged by their friends.
 After courting for a few years they married and lived in Malta where along came Stephen their first son followed 11 months later by Michelle.
In 1962 Marianne and David  moved to England with their 1 and 2 year old -quite a challenge for Marianne who had never seen snow and that year whilst David was away on Naval exercises the snow was deep ,the pipes froze and so did the inside of the windows!!
Marianne missed her family, close friends and her life in Malta but she was determined to make a go of her new life. Some years later she was fortunate to have her Aunty Terry and Uncle Bobby and their two daughters Johanna and Vicki living in Kent. As her Aunt was only 13 years older than her both families were very close and Christmases and Easters were always celebrated together along with other free time whenever possible. The two families became very close and were a great support to each other over the years.
Every year Marianne’s parents would come to stay for the summer since in those days Malta was a long way to travel with children. A daughter - Angela -was sadly born prematurely shortly after the move to England. Alan was born in 1969 and life was very busy with three children and an active involvement in Worthing Yacht club where David later became commodore.
In her 40`s Marianne joined the Samaritans as a volunteer. She thoroughly enjoyed this work. It gave scope to her caring nature and she put her heart and soul into it. She remained a valid member and branch director for many years, and after retiring from that post the second time round, she managed the Samaritan charity shop at Goring Strand until her mid 70`s.
Throughout her life her faith was of great importance to her and she was actively involved with the Parish of St Mary of the Angels in many different ways - particularly the Rite of Christian Initiation in adults.
As the family grew up the children married and Marianne earned the nickname of “The Dragon” from her son- in- Law. The nickname came about because she sounded so terrifying when answering the phone  but also because her nostrils would flare when she was trying to pretend she was cross -but really was trying not to laugh (actually they also did when she was cross!) -Marianne’s greatest joy was her family -particularly her grandchildren. She used to say “I was born to be a grandmother”. She babysat a great deal for her family (lucky them!) and she enjoyed every minute of it and so did they, as to them, Grandma was the best cook in the world-especially Timpana - her famous Maltese dish.
In the process of growing up the grandchildren also learnt that Grandma was a Dragon-like Puff the magic Dragon-she had a frighteningly strict voice but they soon learnt she was game on for anything a bit naughty and were astonished (and thrilled) to learn that Grandma had once almost got expelled from school because she had been caught by the Nuns dancing in the dormitory after lights out -“Respect” Grandma!!(It wasn’t really that naughty by today’s standards)- Grandma was considered super cool after that and especially after a few Whiskies at Easter and Christmas family gatherings when Grandma displayed  her dancing skills and most recently her love of Leonard Cohen songs.

Although a strong character her heart was not strong and she suffered with problems from her early 40`s but these were controlled with modern medicine and the amazing care of our Doctors and Nurses -and so because of this she was able to live the life she did.  Sadly Marianne passed away after 12 days in Worthing hospital. They could not have done more for her -the care was superb and her family would like to thank all the staff and ask you to remember them in your prayers particularly in the current situation. Marianne was strong in spirit until the very end but unfortunately her loving, caring heart finally gave out after 83 years on this earth.-May she rest in peace.