Marnie Roti Obituary

Majorie "Marnie" McKee Roti, 88, passed away suddenly on February 8, 2026, surrounded by family in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she had spent her winters for the past 16 years. Living fully and staying active mattered deeply to Marnie, and she did exactly that on a hike with dear friends just days before her passing.

Marnie was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 28, 1937. Shortly thereafter the family relocated to Shaker Heights, Ohio, where she and her sister, Dorothy "Dot" were raised. Marnie was preceded in death by her mother, Marjorie (Service) McKee-Barber and father, Clyde Ferguson McKee, who passed away when Marnie and Dot were still in elementary school. After graduating from Shaker Heights High School, Marnie attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

While at Miami University, Marnie met Dennis Austin O'Brien (1935-2023). They married and began their life together in York, Pennsylvania, before later moving to Denver, Colorado where they began raising their four children: Michael Middleton O'Brien (1961-2023), Kathleen Kelly O'Brien, Patricia Page O'Brien, and Daniel Dean O'Brien. In 1972, the family relocated to Durango, Colorado, embracing an active, outdoor lifestyle. A devoted runner, Marnie proudly achieved top finishes in both the Phoenix and Boston Marathons. She worked in social services, advocating for families and children, and in advertising sales with the Durango Herald, before finding her true calling in residential real estate, all while remaining deeply committed to her children.

In 1982, Dennis and Marnie divorced amicably, and Marnie set her sights on Southern California, settling in Irvine, where her real estate career flourished. There, she met her future husband, Richard "Dick" Roti, through mutual friends. They married in 1999 and built a full and active life together centered on their blended family, friendships, travel, and the outdoors. Marnie and Dick shared many happy years together until Dick's passing in December 2005.

Marnie embraced the next chapter of her life by dividing her time between Scottsdale and Durango. She delighted in spending her days with her hiking and walking groups, playing golf and mahjong, and creating lasting memories with her children, seven grandchildren, and recently, great granddaughter. Included in these cherished memories were summer family reunions at Bass Lake, California. Known for her adventurous spirit, Marnie celebrated milestone birthdays with family adventure challenges every five years, beginning with skydiving on her 65th birthday, then summiting Mount Whitney at 70, backpacking the Weminuche Wilderness at 75, hiking Havasupai Canyon at 80, and exploring the Amalfi Coast at age 85. Most memorable for each of her grandchildren was a special adventure vacation on their 10th birthday, with their grandma "Momo".

In early 2024, Marnie found her dream Arizona community at The Vi at Silverstone in Scottsdale where she quickly formed new friendships and participated fully on committees and in activities. Her friends often shared, "To know Marnie is to love Marnie." She had a gift for making others feel seen through a kind word, a shared laugh, or simply by being present.

Marnie lived fully, fearlessly, with love and zest, and her spirit will continue to guide us always.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life in Scottsdale, AZ later this spring and in Durango, CO this summer

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marnie's memory to: Michael O’Brien Memorial Scholarship, Fresh Start Women's Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, St. Joseph The Worker, NPR/PBS, or the ACLU.