IN DEATH, AS IN LIFE, VIA'S PRIVACY RESPECTED

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 7, 1993                   TAG: 9301070066
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: GEORGE KEGLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
IN DEATH, AS IN LIFE, VIA'S PRIVACY RESPECTED
Roanoke philanthropist Marion Via was remembered Wednesday at a traditional memorial service that was almost as private as her life had been.
"Today is a day of sadness. We have lost one who was very dear," said the Rev. Thomas P. O'Dell, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, at the afternoon service attended by more than 350 people.
Via, a Milwaukee native who gave away millions of dollars from a family fortune, came to the Roanoke Valley nearly 50 years ago and spent her adult life here until she died Sunday at age 75.
The congregation at the memorial service at St. John's was a cross-section of the community - college presidents, two former mayors and many representatives of the dozen social and cultural agencies she had helped.
The Episcopal service of "thanksgiving to God for the life of Marion Bradley Via" came several hours after her private burial in a family plot at Fair View Cemetery. Her husband, Charles E. Via Jr., a Roanoke County contractor and civil defense coordinator, was buried there in 1960.
Her immediate family, sons Peter and Edward and their children, and her lawyer, John Rocovich, were in the funeral procession.
In his homily at the service, O'Dell said, "We celebrate the truth of God's love for Marion . . . one who was very important." Hers was "a life lived with grace, uncommon humility and generosity of spirit," he said.
O'Dell said, "We can almost hear her say, `Anyone who comes to me, I will never turn away.' "
His message was a celebration of Via's life, as is expressed at many funerals.
Representatives of the staffs and boards of the Bradley Free Clinic, the Rescue Mission, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Mill Mountain Theatre, Roanoke College and Virginia Tech were among those who came to mourn her death.
Afterward, friends and recipients of Via's generosity talked about the last time they had seen or had talked with her. Via, who had given her annual Christmas party, told a friend who called on New Year's Day that she was not well.
Her family's privacy was evident at the service. Television and newspaper cameras were outside and ushers had instructions to keep them out of the church. Several people expressed their disapproval of the use of cameras at a memorial service. At least three reporters attended.
Several of the agency representatives said they wanted to give a tribute to Via but they declined to comment at the request of the family.
Outside the church, her friends marveled at the many good causes she had helped.
The unanswered question after the service was how these organizations and the community will fare without Via's support. Or will they be remembered in her will?

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB