Marina C. Neumann, 72, of Granby, wife of the late Edward M. Neumann, passed away on Thursday (April 12, 2012). Born in Riga, Latvia, daughter of the late Martins and Ilga Cielens, she lived in Granby for over 38 years. Marina and her family left Riga in September 1944 and traveled by ship to Danzig, Germany. After spending several years in various refugee camps in Germany, Marina and her family arrived in New York City in 1949 (Ellis Island had been closed to incoming refugees.) Marina was nine and had vivid memories of seeing the Statue of Liberty as she and her family entered New York Harbor. She was a graduate of the University of Michigan and was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. After college, she married Ed and taught school at the Newport School for Girls in Rhode Island while her husband was at sea in the 1960s.

She was a realtor in the Farmington Valley for 30 years. Marina brought grace, elegance, and humility to all she did. She was a world traveler, including Burma, Egypt, and multiple trips to China and Europe. She was a lover of the great outdoors and lived independently with support from her neighbors on Case Street. Marina was dedicated to her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Hilary Zeller; and her son, Christopher Neumann; their spouses, Scott and Erika, respectively; her grandchildren, Nate, Eva, Tally and Hayden; and her sister, Ilze King and her family.

Marina's family will receive friends on Monday, April 16, 10-11 a.m., at the Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook St., Granby. A service and blessing will follow at the same location at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Granby Ambulance Association, PO Box 617, Granby, CT 06035. For on line condolences, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.

Photo of Marina with Christopher and Hilary