Marjorie Rusbosin, 85, Ran Island Guest House

Marjorie Rabbitt Rusbosin of Vineyard Haven, widow of Capt. Vincent A. Rusbosin, U.S. Navy, died on June 16 at the Massachusetts General Hospital. She was 85.

Marjorie was born at home in Vineyard Haven on April 2, 1921, the daughter of Thomas A. and Bernice Daggett Rabbitt. She grew up on Martha's Vineyard, and during World War II she met and married Vincent Rusbosin, a naval aviator. They were married for more than 42 years.

After establishing a home on the Vineyard while her husband was attending Harvard Graduate School of Education and later teaching, Marjorie raised her children. When her husband was called back to active duty in the Navy in 1951, the family lived briefly in California and then in Naples, Italy, for three years, additionally enjoying travels throughout Europe.

The family then returned to the United States and lived in and around the Washington, D.C., area. Summers were spent in Vineyard Haven where Marjorie diligently assisted in the running of the Tashmoo Inn, which was owned by her parents. In 1973 Marjorie and her husband retired and moved full-time to the Island.

In her D.C. years she volunteered as a Red Cross Gray Lady, the group of hospital helpers in gray outfits.

More recently, Marjorie owned and managed the Tashmoo Annex guest house on Main street in Vineyard Haven. During the winter, she lived in West Palm Beach and Naples, Fla., with family.

Over many years, Marjorie hosted and cared for many family members and guests, gaining a wide range of friends, respectful admirers and acquaintances through her genuine, down-to-earth and helpful manner. She was greatly loved, and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her siblings, Winifred Kittila of Nantucket, Dorothy Coggins of Alexandria Va., Esther Cummens of Naples, Fla., and Thomas Rabbitt Jr. of Vineyard Haven; her children, Barbara Keeling of Naples, Fla., Bruce Hatch of Glade Spring, Va., Vincent Rusbosin 2nd of Mt. Airy, Md., Jayne Stanek of Vineyard Haven and Joan Foote of Germantown, Tenn., as well as 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Visiting hours were held yesterday in the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.

Her funeral mass will be celebrated in St. Augustine's Church in Vineyard Haven today, June 20, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. And at five o'clock, a reception in Marjorie's honor will be held at the Tashmoo Annex, 324 Main street in Vineyard Haven.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Martha's Vineyard Cancer Support Group, P.O. Box 2214, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs. Visit www.ccgfuneralhome.com for more information and an online guest book.