Visitation: Wednesday (3/9) 2 - 7 PM @ The Salvation Army - Bay Ridge
252 86th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11209
Funeral Service: Wednesday (3/9) 7 PM @ The Salvation Army - Bay Ridge
252 86th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11209

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Marie Rondon, 88, of Brooklyn, NY, born on December 27, 1933 to Franklin Perry and Lila Ester in Erie, Pennsylvania, passed away (was promoted to glory) on Monday, February 28, 2022 peacefully surrounded by her family.

Marie's life echoed the words found in First Corinthians 15:10 " But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me."

Marie's parents took her to the Salvation Army's Erie Citadel during her childhood years where she became a Jr. Soldier , participated in Bible studies, and all of the Corps' music and youth programs. At the age of 14 she became a senior soldier, gave her heart and life to God, and felt a calling to serve God full time as a Salvation Army Officer. She graduated from Academy High School and in 1954 entered the Salvation Army's School for Officers' Training as a member of the Soul Winner's session. She was commissioned an officer (Pastor) in 1955. She served as an Assistant Corps officer in Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and New York. While in Rhode Island she was trained to work with children with special needs. In 1960 she was assigned to a Day Care Program conducted by the Salvation Army in Brooklyn, New York. She joined the local Brooklyn Corps and immediately began to participate in all of its programs. It was during this time that she met her husband, John Rondon, who was the bandmaster at that time and invited her to join the band.

John and Marie grew in their faith together. During an Open-Air Meeting John proposed to her and they were married in 1966. (John and Marie celebrated their fifty-sixth wedding anniversary on February 19, 2022.) The pair enthusiastically welcomed their two beautiful children, Tina and Dwayne. Marie dedicated her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. In 1970, John and Marie, led by their desire to serve God together entered the Salvation Army School for Officers' Training. The move opened doors for them to serve and spread the gospel from 1970 through 1990 in places such as Puerto Rico, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. Marie's heart for service poured into everything she set out to do. When she wasn't filling her home with love, warmth, and kindness she could be found at the Corps playing in the band, singing in the Songsters, sharing joy with women in the Home League, and stepping in with love and encouragement in the youth programs. Over the past 22 years John and Marie have been active at the Bay Ridge Corps where Marie taught Sunday School, worked with Senior Citizens, and gave leadership to the Home League Program.

Above all Marie excelled at propping up her family and supporting them through the many passions and difficulties of their lives. She stood in the gap for her family covering them with her prayers and celebrating them as they each achieved their own accomplishments. She lived her life encouraging those around her, spreading joy in the smallest of times and offering peace and Companionship to many. In all things it was her service and dedication to the Lord that motivated and guided her. The way she served with all her heart and how she trusted the Lord in all seasons planted a seed in all those who came in contact with her. We will go forth and allow our light to shine brightly and, like Marie, so that others will see the good works and glorify our father in Heaven.

Marie was predeceased by her father, Franklin Perry Ester and mother, Lila VanCise as well as her brother Richard and Leroy. She is survived by her sibling Ruth and David, her husband John, her children Tina and Dwayne, seven grandchildren, and fifteen great- grandchildren.

There will be a viewing and a celebration of life service at the Salvation Army's Bay Ridge Corps, at 252 86 ^th Street, Brooklyn, New York 11209 Wednesday, March 9, 2022, from 2-7pm followed by the service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations  be made to the Bay Ridge Salvation Army Corps to support the youth programs.

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In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Marie's memory to:

Text "bayridgekids" 41444

or

The Salvation Army