Cover photo for Marianne Claire Fortney's Obituary
Marianne Claire Fortney Profile Photo
1999 Marianne 2022

Marianne Claire Fortney

July 22, 1999 — June 23, 2022

Marianne Claire Fortney, 22 of Raytown, MO, our beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022, in a car accident.

The oldest of two children, Marianne was born on July 22, 1999, in Kansas City, MO to Marc and Claudia (Findley) Fortney. She was the first granddaughter on both sides of her family, and was raised in Raytown, Missouri. After graduating from Raytown High School in 2017, Marianne earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Missouri Western State University in December 2021. Beginning her career this February as a registered nurse in the medical-surgical unit of North Kansas City Hospital, Marianne thrived at what she loved.

From a young age, Marianne had a love for life, nature, and all living creatures big and small, especially butterflies. She had many pets: her turtle “Cutie,” several fish, her cat Jasper, and her dog Reese. She spent time hiking trails, fishing, tending to her house plants, walking her dog, and cultivating her flower garden. When not spending time in nature, she enjoyed cooking, baking, painting, and pottery. According to her Nana, she made the best Spanish rice and helped her Aunt Jennifer every year to make the best homemade noodles for the holidays. She was always looking up new recipes and trying them out for her friends and family to sample her amazing cooking.

Her infectious laughter and lovable nature drew people to her, and she was always surrounded by family and friends who deeply loved her. She was especially close to her younger brother Eric, and her first cousins, Riley, Daniel, Joe, Lucas, and Bella, whom she considered additional siblings, as they were all close in age. She made wonderful memories with her “siblings” by going on cousin trips, lake weekends, rodeos, Royals and K-State games, and she celebrated many special occasions with them. One of her most recent fond memories was in January to her brother Eric’s Marine Corp graduation in San Diego. She also shared a close relationship with her other cousins, always making it a point to make them feel special and loved; no matter the time, age difference, or distance between them.

In her short career at the hospital, she was a caring and compassionate nurse who touched many lives and enjoyed helping others. She recently received a card from the family of a patient in appreciation of the extra care she had provided. She gave her whole heart in her work, just as she did in her personal life, which is what made her a wonderful nurse.

She is survived by her mother, Claudia Fortney, Raytown, MO; father, Marc (Cassy) Fortney, Raytown, MO; brother, Eric Fortney, Raytown, MO; grandparents Maria “Lupe” Findley (known as Nana), Independence, MO; Rick Findley, Junction City, KS; Phil (Becky) Fortney, Topeka, KS; Karen Bridenstine, Raytown, MO, and a very special great grandmother, Shirley Sewell, Granbury, Texas. She is also survived by many aunts and uncles who loved her including, Monica Findley, Independence, MO, Richard (Traci) Findley, Lee’s Summit, MO; Jennifer Tartaglia, Raytown, MO; John Fortney, Belton, MO; Tess (Brett) Danielson, Topeka KS; Chelsey Stryker, Topeka KS, and her favorite great uncle, Ronnie Fenton, Granbury, Texas. There are several other close family and friends too.

A celebration of her life is being held in her honor at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 1, 2022, at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, MO 64055. The family will greet friends following the conclusion of the service at the chapel.

Marianne is loved by so many and will be greatly missed. Her memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all the lives she touched.

The family has established a nursing scholarship at Missouri Western State University to aid in keeping Marianne’s memory alive and to support her life’s ambition to help others. Checks may be made out to: MWSU Foundation, c/o The Marianne Fortney Memorial Nursing Scholarship, 4525 Downs Drive, St. Joseph, MO 64507, or online gifts can be made at http://griff.vn/gift. Choose “other” under purpose, list The Marianne Fortney Memorial Nursing Scholarship name in the comment box, mark the box under “tribute gift in memory of” and list Marianne Fortney. In addition, because of her love of gardening, the family will be extending her current flower garden and adding a meditation bench. The family requests perennial flower donations to be placed in her garden resting place in lieu of fresh flowers so that they may flourish each year, just as her love did in everyone’s hearts.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marianne Claire Fortney, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

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Friday, July 1, 2022

Starts at 2:00 pm (Central time)

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