Marc Tootle RIP

I just found out today that during the all-consuming days of our move, I missed the passing of Marc Tootle, husband and father to family friends of nine years - Dolly Stevens and Matt, Rose and Bobby Tootle.

Of the whole family, I was least acquainted with Marc. Dolly worked with my children in MANY shows - through Growing Stage - and in 2003 directed The Diary of Anne Frank with my son Matt as Peter, and then the most professional community musical theater production I've ever seen - West Side Story, which featured three Curtis brothers: Matt as Tony, Ben as Jets' Big Deal and Zach as one of the Sharks.

Matt Tootle was friends with my boys. Rose Tootle was friends/mentor of my girls. And all three Tootle children have stayed overnight with us over the years.

Though I didn't know Marc as well as Dolly and the kids, I had enormous respect for him as a husband and father. He and Dolly were high school sweethearts who married in 1978. They moved to Purcellville in 1983 and have lived in the same home ever since, giving birth to their three babies in that very house. For a vagabond like me, such stability is a sign of greatness of some sort.

In the end, Marc's liver issues, on top of heart problems, meant his options were limited. When the doctors told him and Dolly that his heart was too weak to make a liver transplant feasible, they chose the path of peace and tranquility, taking him home to die in the good company of his family.

This can never be as easy as it sounds. And yet, I am happy to know that Marc died peacefully, surrounded by those who loved him. This is a beautiful/natural/holistic way of dying which has become more elusive as our dependence on technology has increased. i pray that my leave-taking will be this peaceful and meaningful for my family.

Farewell to a faithful husband and father. Dolly and children, please know we share your grief and are praying for the repose of Marc's soul.

The Tootle Family has gone through many hardships in the past several years, including Marc's job loss and no medical insurance. I was glad to hear that a fund for funeral expenses has been established. Please email me if you would like to contribute and I will put you in touch with friend of the family who is working through a bank to account for the funds before turning them over to the Funeral Home.

There will be a memorial service for Marc Tootle Sunday, Aug. 21 at , beginning with a visitation at 2 p.m. I hope to see many friends there.