Marian Delores Fanelli, 80, passed away in Dade City, Florida on December 3, 2024. She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on October 22, 1944, to James and Willie.
She was a big supporter and contributor to the Florida Sheriff’s youth Ranch and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a true champion of the children living at Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches and could often be found wearing her “I am a Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches Cheerkleader” t-shirt when attending events or visiting campuses. Marian loved Sheriff Farmer and with being with Sheriff Farmer of Sumter County serving the Board of Directors, her support of the mission of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches deepened. She was most fond of the Boys Ranch location which represents the first of six campuses and referred to as the flagship location. The Boys Ranch campus is the one Marian visited most often over her 15 years of support.
Although it started with serving boys only, the campus in recent years expanded to include girls and siblings. Marian loved visiting the campus, interacting with the children, and sharing a meal during their school lunch break. She was known at the highest levels of leadership and was drawn to funding things and unique to the program and specifically the children, but one of the most unique was created by her and named the “Fanelli Fun Fund”. This fund was established by Marian to provide life enrichment excursions for the youth in care.
Marian was credited with sending kids to Disney World, long weekend getaways and summer vacations at the beach, all Marian ever asked was to make sure the children were loved and happy. The love she had for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches was reciprocated by the love the Youth Ranches had for Marian. In her time of need and following two Florida Hurricanes, it was the Ranchers from the Boys Ranch who came to her rescue to fix fence damage around her property.
Marian held the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches in a very special place in her heart, but the Youth Ranches considered Marian a member of their family and looked after her like family would. Marian had a list of recognitions she received from the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. 2010- Recognized as a member of the Helping Hand Society; 2014- Recognized as a member of the builder Society; 2019- Presented the Lifetime Honorary Membership; 2022- Recognized with the Gold Star award; 2024- Recognized with the Statue award. Marian was preceded in death by her husband Frank J. Fanelli.