Marvin Leonard Shorter of Seaford passed away on Jan. 2, 2021 after a year-and-a-half-long battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He was surrounded by his family, including his devoted wife and best friend of 47 years, Wanda Joanne (Mitchell) Shorter. Marvin leaves behind his family, which he proclaimed on multiple occasions was his “proudest accomplishment,” including his son, Michael Leonard Shorter, daughter-in-law, Jennifer Marie Shorter, and their children Cole, Aiden, Leah and Max of Wilmington; his daughter, Jessica Madalyn (Shorter) Macdonald, son-in-law, Colin Campbell Macdonald, and their children Abigail and Campbell, of Somerville, MA; and his daughter, Emily Joanne Shorter and her son Bruin Williams of Felton. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Odessa and Leonard Shorter.
Marvin spent most of his youth in the small fishing community of Elliott’s Island, Md. – on the water, playing baseball, going to Miss Nora’s Store, and enjoying the company of his grandmother, June Mom. After high school, Marvin enlisted in the United States Air Force.
After his service, Marvin attended college for his degree in computer science. This led him to not only his next career, but also his future wife. At Leeds Travelwear in Clayton, Marvin and Wanda worked together, became friends and later dated. When Marvin received a job offer in Richmond, Va., Marvin and Wanda decided to get married and make the move together. After they moved back to Seaford, Marvin began working for the state of Maryland and spent most of his career (33 years) with the Office of Assessments as a computer systems analyst.
Family was always front and center for Marvin, and he loved being a husband, father, and later, grandfather. He attended every baseball or softball game, was generous with hugs, and often said, “I love you.” He had a wonderful sense of humor and ribbed Wanda and his children throughout his final days. In his later years, he often reflected on how much he loved his family, including Wanda, who was always by his side and whose tenacious spirit and unconditional love seemed to have no limits.
After Marvin retired at 62, he did not mind that Wanda continued to pursue her career. He was content spending hours outdoors in his yard, taking a drive to see his grandchildren compete in sports, or going to the gym to workout. Other days you would find him listening to music while reading the news at home in his sunroom.
Marvin loved many things, including a strong cup of coffee, a long afternoon nap, Lyle Lovett, vanilla ice cream, and sitting back in his lawn chair and watching his grandchildren play. He will be dearly missed and deeply remembered.
All services are private. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws St., Bridgeville.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Marvin Shorter to the Elliott Methodist Church, 2310 Elliott Island Road, Vienna, MD 21869.
Please visit Marvin’s Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.