Marianne Thomas Opilla

May 23, 1955 - June 16, 2022

Marianne Thomas Opilla, 67, died Thursday, June 16, 2022 peacefully and surrounded by loved ones at her home in Huddleston, VA. She passed away from ALS after battling the disease with incredible strength and grace for almost 3 years. Marianne was born May 23, 1955 in Springfield, VA, daughter of the late Robert Thomas and Mary Piper Thomas. She lived a life full of love, family, dogs, and adventures, and made all feel welcome with her kindness and ability to make everything fun. Marianne spent her life caring for others: her family, friends, and countless patients as a Registered Nurse for over 30 years. She was an expert in her field of nutrition support nursing with numerous publications, awards, and conference presentations. She loved being outside and taking in the energy of nature. She enjoyed skiing as an active member of the Richmond Ski Club, hiking, boating, wakeboarding, gardening, and running marathons. She loved her dogs, as evidenced by having raised seven Golden Retrievers, both from puppies and as rescues. Marianne loved hosting family and friends at her home on Smith Mountain Lake, taking them for sunset boat cruises toward the "pot of gold," and never feeling shy to be life of the party with singing and dancing! Marianne was the beloved wife of Steve Opilla for 44 years. She is survived by her daughter, Amy Soleta, and her husband, Shaun, of Orange County, CA; her son, Hunter Opilla, his wife, Jennifer, and their three children, Shelby, Dylan, and Mason of Tucson, AZ; and her brother, Dwight Thomas, of Omaha, NE. A Celebration of Life will be held at Steve and Marianne's home on Smith Mountain Lake, July 23rd 2022 with further details to come. The family suggests that those wishing to make memorials consider Centra Hospice, 2097 Langhorne Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24501 through the Centra Foundation: , the Bedford Humane Society, 829 Ole Turnpike Dr., Bedford, VA 24523: or the DC/MD/VA chapter of the ALS Association's Community of Hope: https://secure2.convio.net/alsa/site/TR/PersonalFund/DCMDVA?px=8407578&pg=personal&fr_id=10035#.YrC0vuzMK8U