Marion Fording
January 27, 1929 - December 2, 2025
Marion Fording, 96, formerly Marion Rose Obenauf, passed away on December 2, 2025. Marion was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Henry Obenauf; her sister, Doris Sweet; her brother, Henry Obenauf, Jr.; her grandson, Jason Bradley, and her beloved husband of over 25 years, Charles “Chuck” Fording. She is survived by her four children, Harley Boos, Jr., Carol Bradley, Patti Clark, and Richard Fording; twelve grandchildren; and fourteen great-grandchildren, all of whom were a constant source of joy and pride throughout her life.
Marion was born on January 27, 1929, in Clifton, New Jersey. Marion moved to Florida with her family in the early 1940s and graduated from South Broward High School in Dania Beach, Florida, in 1946. Her group of friends from high school remained close to the very end, often reminiscing about “old Hollywood.” Shortly after graduation, she married Harley Boos, and relocated to San Jose, California, and later to Patterson, California. During nearly 20 years in California, she brought four beautiful children into the world whom she adored, worked for the State of California, and helped cultivate apricots on the family farm.
In 1966, Marion returned to South Florida, divorced, and later met Charles “Chuck” Fording through a mutual friend at Southern Bell, where they both worked for many years. They married and built a life together in Dania Beach, purchasing their home in 1968. Marion would spend the next 57 years in that home, until her death.
Marion retired in the early 1990s. A few years later, Chuck passed away in 1996 at the age of 74. In retirement, Marion found great happiness visiting with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She took great pride in caring for her home, feeding the birds and squirrels in the backyard twice a day, enjoyed time with her neighbors, and, most notably, devoted herself to volunteering for over 30 years with the Hollywood Historical Society, which became her true passion in retirement. She served as Treasurer for over 20 years, and in recognition of her dedication and service, she was honored as Hollywood’s “Pioneer” during Broward County’s Pioneer Day celebration in 2024.
Marion’s family is deeply grateful for the many dear friends she made through the Historical Society, who became such an important part of her life. She cherished her time with them at the Hammerstein House, especially on Friday mornings, after which she would join them for lunch, usually at her favorite restaurant - Jack’s Diner. The family is also grateful for Marion’s neighbors, who for many years were a great source of friendship and support, especially as her health declined over the last several years.
A public memorial service will be held at a later date. For service details, please contact Richard Fording at rcfording@ua.edu.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Marion’s memory be made to the Hollywood Historical Society at
