Nurse remembered for generosity
Published June 8, 2006
To her closest friends and family members, Marianne Osorio embodied full-hearted generosity and inspired those around her to give back to the community.
"She was the most giving person," her daughter, Alexandra Osorio, said. "She loved taking care of people."
Mrs. Osorio, 49, died May 2 of respiratory failure. Her funeral was held in Columbia at the Nilson Funeral Home.
Mrs. Osorio was born in St. Louis and attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg before coming to Columbia with her husband, Basilio Osorio, to continue her nursing education. At the time of her death, Osorio was pursuing her doctorate in Nursing and Public Administration.
Mrs. Osorio's daughter said her mother was a physically active person and loved regularly exercising on the MKT Trail.
"She was active in everything," Alexandra said. "She was a runner, a biker and a swimmer."
Mrs. Osorio was also an active dancer for the Twilight Dance Studio.
Jo Fountain, the studio's owner, remembers the visible joy Mrs. Osorio had for Latin and ballroom dancing.
"She had excitement over dance and had a want to learn," Fountain said.
Fountain said Mrs. Osorio managed to share her good spirit with others and inspired fellow dancers to do well.
"She was a really nice person and very sociable," Fountain said. "She was a really sweet lady."
Her daughter said most people found her facial expressions to be her most memorable physical trait.
"Her best characteristic was her smile," she said. "You'll hear everyone say that."
Mrs. Osorio had a particular talent for making those around her feel individually important, even though she took care of a large amount of people on a regular basis.
"She devoted her attention to everyone, yet managed to make everyone feel special," Alexandra said.
Mrs. Osorio is survived by her husband; her daughter; her mother, Bonnie Rose Patino, of Columbia; and her grandmother, Arti Lee Little, also of Columbia.
