Beloved grandmother, devout Catholic, proud Italian

Marie Assman, 91, of Claremont, died on October 22.

Marie was born September 26, 1931, to Joseph and Madeline Caruso (nee Rispoli) in Brooklyn, New York. After graduating from Franklin K. Lane High School, she worked at Abraham and Strauss in Brooklyn, where she met her future husband Charles F. Assman.

The couple were married on February 7, 1952. Charles was a career military man and together they traveled the world and the United States, moving from one duty station to another, including Germany, Okinawa, Massachusetts, Virginia, Maryland, and in 1973, California.

In California she went to work for the Social Security Administration. She joined Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Claremont, where she became an active member in many ministries and helped to raise money for many local charities.

She always embraced her Italian heritage and New York roots and was a proud and longtime member of the Italian Catholic Federation. She was also a member of the Women’s Council, Ladies of Columbus, and the Woman’s Club of Claremont. She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and passionately helped to raise money for the USO in support of our troops.

After retirement she loved to travel and took many wonderful vacations with her husband and children. One of her favorites was taking her granddaughter to Hawaii. She was devoted to her family and always put them first. She had many friends over the years and with them enjoyed social activities, luncheons, parties, card groups, and fellowship.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, John and Lynn Assman of Upland; daughter Deborah Assman of Vista, California; son and daughter-in-law, Robert Assman and Veronica Lisowski of Vista, California; granddaughter Jeanna Marie Assman of Rancho Cucamonga; her nieces, nephews, and many beloved friends, all of whom will miss her dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles; infant daughter Linda; and sister Jeanette Kokolski.

Visitation and services are scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m., with a rosary at 6:30 p.m., on Wednesday, November 9 at Todd Memorial Chapel, 325 N. Indian Hill Blvd., Claremont.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, November 10 at Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 435 N. Berkeley Ave., Claremont. A reception will follow at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 555 W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont.

She will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.