Marion Helen Cope

Marion (Schmitt) Cope, age 82, of Crossville, TN, passed away on August 18, 2026. She was born on February 23, 1944, in Midland, Texas to the late Arthur Schmitt (Army/Air Corps) and Marion (Dewhurst) Schmitt. As a child she moved with her parents back to Long Island, New York, after her father was discharged from the military. After high school, she went to nursing school and started a nursing career in New York. She moved to Washington, DC in 1966 and was working at Georgetown University Hospital when she met her husband Robert in Arlington, Virginia. They purchased a house in Sterling, Virginia where she worked and retired from Loudoun Memorial Hospital in Leesburg, VA. In 1994 after retirement they moved to Fairhope, AL then to Fairfield Glade, TN in 2005.

She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi parish. Marion enjoyed her many years of involvement in the St. Francis of Assisi Christmas gift drive for school districts that have lots of needy families. For many years she faithfully helped with the preparation and setup for funeral luncheons. Marion also had a heart for others, regularly visiting residents in assisted living and taking the time to visit with anyone who desired her company and encouragement.

She was preceded in death by parents, Arthur Schmitt and Maion (Dewhurst) Schmitt.

Survivors include her husband, Robert; daughter, Melissa Newlin (Ron); grandsons, Gibson and Miles, Tallahassee, FL; sisters, Barbara Markko (Joe) and Joyce Droesch of Mayfield Heights, OH; brother Tom Schmitt (Joanne), South Carolina; and niece, Christine.

Donations can be made to Cumberland County Hospice in Marion’s honor.

Funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis of Assisi on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM.