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Marianne Graeme Fortuna passed away peacefully on October 15th, 2026, after an extended battle with ovarian cancer.
Marianne was born in Winter Park, Florida, on December 8th, 1950. The oldest of 3 children, she spent her days playing in the neighborhood with her sister, Khaki, her brother, Bob, and other neighborhood children, including her childhood best friend, Sue, whom she moved to France with after college and remained friends with until her passing.
Marianne valued her education. She completed her undergraduate degree at Florida State University and went on to get her Masters in Accountancy from Georgia State University a few years later. She then became a CPA. This career choice allowed her to travel to over 60 countries on 6 continents, visit all 50 states, and rack up over a million miles on two different airlines.
She married John Fortuna in 1976, and they went on to have three children, Rob, Laura, and David. She poured her heart into her children, making sure they got the best that life had to offer. She took them on her international business trips to make sure they saw the world, provided them with every educational opportunity they desired, and made sure they carried the same eternal optimism she modeled every day.
Alongside raising her children and building her career, Marianne took great pride in her ever-growing list of mentees. She helped launch careers and build confidence in the workplace, and she remained close with many of those who considered her their strongest mentor.
After raising her children and building a successful career, she returned to graduate school to earn her PhD in Business Administration from Georgia State University so she could help mold more young minds as a professor at the University of Georgia. She loved helping her students and would constantly celebrate and encourage their successes.
Marianne was a loving “Nonna” to her two grandsons, Wylie and Gresham. She was passionate about passing down her love of SEC football and was steadfast in her loyalty to her family, close friends, students, and mentees, of which she had many. Her final days were spent in crowded rooms filled with loved ones, celebrating her accomplishments and laughing through the tears. She always made sure there was a joke around every corner.
Marianne was driven, goal-oriented, optimistic, generous, and deeply invested in the people around her.
She is survived by her children, Laura Fortuna and David Fortuna (Meredith), her grandsons Wylie and Gresham Fortuna, her brother Robert Graeme (Jeannie), her nephew Brian Connell (Talli), her nieces Jennifer Kiiss (Mark), Catharine Connell, and Katelynn Graeme (Ben).
She is predeceased by her parents Edward Graeme and Catharine Graeme, her sister Catharine Connell, her son Robert Fortuna, and her nephew Robert Graeme.
Services will be held at St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 14th at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Marianne to St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church.
Judi Oakley says
There’s a void in our world without Marianne and I will miss her very much.
Dinah Howell says
Deepest sympathies to all of her family and friends. Marianne’‘s loss leaves a deep hole in mine and many others lives. I miss her very much.!!
Dinah.
Susie Sheehan says
We met at Wesleyan College and later enjoyed many years of “Beach Weekends” whether they were actualy at the beach, the mountains of North Carolina, our 60th birthday celebration to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons and finally, last summer, a week visiting Cape Cod. So many memories and sharing chapters of our lives. The great times as well as the not so great ones. I will miss you, Marianne, but will think of you adrift in the inflatable in the Gulf off Anna Maria enjoying that last piece of Death by Chocolate all by yourself! Cheers to The BW Girls and much love to your family.
Veronica Faal says
Marianne will be sorely missed. She was a wonderful friend, mentor, and inspiration whose generosity, kindness, and knowledge impacted many people’s lives, including mine. I will always be appreciative for our friendship and the invaluable advice she gave me. The numerous people she touched will carry on her legacy. My deepest sympathies to Laura, David and the whole family. May you find comfort and strength in the beautiful memories you shared with her. May she rest in eternal peace, Amen!
Les Davies says
Les Davies.
In memory of someone who gave freely without expecting anything in return!
Margaret Christ says
I had the pleasure of being Marianne’s department head over the last two years. During that time, Marianne was promoted to Senior Lecturer and so we worked together to put her promotion dossier together. It contained so many testimonials and endorsements from students – she truly changed lives. Students shared very personal ways she had touched their lives – they commented on her compassion, and the respect and care she showed for each student. The described how she went out of her way to help set them up for success. She was described as inspirational, and “Literally perfect in every way.” Marianne taught many classes at the Griffin campus and she went above and beyond to give her students meaningful experiences – connecting the classroom to the real world and drawing from her experiences over years in practice. She made a real difference in the lives of all of her students and she will be profoundly missed.
Eileen Thurmond says
Marianne and I met as freshmen at Wesleyan and continued our friendship over the next 50+ years. Our exploits with the Beach Weekend Girls and our trip to the Midwest with faithful dog Nikki will always be sources of much laughter! Marianne’s kindness, generosity, optimism, and love for her family and friends remain with us all.
Anne Hodges says
What a beautiful tribute to Marianne’s life. She will be missed more than words can say, and I’m so glad we became friends 3 decades ago.
David and Laura, my heart goes out to you both. I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers and asking God to surround you with His love, and bring you comfort in the difficult days ahead, and give you peace in the mist of your sorrow. Sending you both so much love.
Michael Tarrant says
Goodbye to one of the world’s most truly beautiful people. I feel so blessed to have known you Marianne.
Lynn Manguno says
So happy I had the opportunity to know Marianne. She brought so much joy and positive energy to everything she did. Marianne was always a ray of sunshine which will now be greatly missed.