Upton, MA: Marion R. (Tiny) Prentiss, 95, passed away at home on April 11, 2023 following a rapid decline in her health. She is survived by her son, Bruce Prentiss, of Upton and son James Prentiss (Cathy Prentiss) of Eagle, WI. She was predeceased by her husband of 76 years, Robert Prentiss and her siblings Earl A. Fiske Jr., Ernest Fiske, Evelyn Fowler, Helen Southwood, and George (Bud) Fiske. She will also be missed by her granddaughter, Julie Guilbert (Dan Guilbert) of Uxbridge, MA and Craig Prentiss (Stephanie Prentiss) of Mendon, MA along with her great grandchildren, Joseph Lesiak Jr., Matthew Guilbert, Peter Guilbert, and Mia Prentiss along with many nieces and nephews. Marion was born in Milford, MA, August 8, 1927, son of the late Bertha (Porter) and Earl A. Fiske.


Marion built her career in food service preparing meals for school children in elementary through high school. She always professed that “kids don’t learn well on an empty stomach.” She began working at the Upton elementary schools in 1960 and later moved to Nipmuc Regional Jr/Sr High School where she eventually became school cafeteria manager. Throughout the 1970s and 80s Marion managed the food service program for all schools in the town of Hopedale until her retirement in 1989.


She will be fondly remembered as a “philosopher,” an “engineer,” and a “consultant.” Her sons remember her as a “philosopher” expressing profound statements with simple words, such as when someone was faced with a difficult task and was worried about failure, her comment would be, “Can’t never accomplished anything. Adopt a can-do attitude.” Or when someone felt there was no way to get something done, she would say, “Where there is a will, there is a way.” She is also remembered for her “engineering” skills. When trying to figure out how to make something work she would apply what she referred to as her “Yankee Ingenuity.” And her late husband, Bob, often saw her as a “consultant.” She had an uncanny way of telling him how to accomplish tasks and generally get things done. He would jokingly and lovingly refer to Marion as “The Head Teller.” The world was made a better place having had “Tiny” in it during her 95 years.


In lieu of flowers, denotations in Marion’s memory can be made to the Upton Fire & EMS Association (http://uptonfire.org/make-a-contribution/ or by mail at 20 Church St. Upton, MA 01568) A memorial will be performed as a graveside service on a day to be determined in May at the Upton Lakeview Cemetery under the care of Roney Funeral Home of North Grafton.