Marianne Dolan Konka

Marianne Dolan Konka died suddenly January 11, 2023, in Ithaca, NY.  A wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, aunt, friend, nurse, caregiver, and gifted photographer, Marianne touched many lives through her dedication to her home, work, family, friends, and artistic talents.  She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Marianne was born in New York, NY on December 5, 1955, to Jean and Hugh Dolan.  After graduating from Mount Saint Mary’s University in 1978, Marianne began her career as a registered nurse caring for patients at several hospitals in and around Baltimore, MD.  While working at Harford Memorial Hospital in Havre de Grace, MD, Marianne met her husband, Steve Konka.  They were married in October 2001.

Steve and Marianne lovingly cared for their parents in their final years, and Marianne touched many others who were also caregivers, lending support and warm comfort to those who were working through the highs and lows of the caregiving experience.

Marianne found solace after the tragic death of her beloved brother, Steve Dolan, by taking up his passion – photography.  Soon Marianne’s talent became apparent to all as she generously shared her work, capturing images in nature that would have been at home on the cover of “National Geographic”.

Marianne and Steve moved to Cincinnatus, NY in 2019 and began a new career as dairy farmers.  The work was never-ending, and Marianne used the splendor of the farm, the surroundings, the animals, and birds to elevate her photography to a new level.  She generously shared the images she captured to the delight of hundreds of friends and family.  Her photographs are a proud legacy.

Marianne is survived by her husband, Steve Konka, two children, Jeannine Shaw and Daniel Spielberger, stepchildren Ivan Konka and Meghan Konka Warlick, grandchildren Kilash Shaw, Sidhartha Shaw, Jaden Jones and Chad Warlick Jr., her siblings Kevin Dolan and Jim Dolan, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Her parents, Jean and Hugh Dolan, her brothers Paul Dolan and Steve Dolan, and son John Spielberger preceded her in death.

Visitation for family and friends will be held January 20, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at K.L. Sharp Funeral Home in Cincinnatus, NY.  The funeral mass for Marianne will be held at 11:00 a.m. January 21, 2023, at Our Lady of Perpetual Hope Roman Catholic Church in Cincinnatus, NY. 

Steve and all of Marianne’s family are grateful for the outpouring of condolences from family, friends, neighbors, and fellow parishioners from Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church in Cincinnatus and thank them for their love and kindness.