Jessie Marsik, age 87 of Marysville, passed away Sunday, October 30, 2016 at her residence. Jessie is survived by her beloved husband, Stanley J. Marsik, three daughters, Jessie Wilson, Margie Rundell, and Debbie (Kent) Phillips. Also, her loving granddaughters Jennifer Wilburn, Valerie (Brian) Tommasone, Carin (Nick) Johnson, Meagan Rundell, Chelsea (Mike) Roy, Michelle (Andrew) Russ, Jenny (Paul) Adkins and seven great-grandchildren Jon, Jacqueline, Kassandra, Vincent, Skylar, Evan and Zachary. She was preceded in death by brother Frantisek Vaclavek.

Jessie was born to Zdenka and Frantisek Vaclavek in Prague, Czech Republic. Jessie always had a great love for music, as her father was a professional pianist, and played piano and accordion. After high school Jessie graduated from a two-year trade school specializing in dressmaking and furrier skills. In 1948, shortly after beginning her new career with a furrier in a town outside Prague, she made the momentous decision to join her beau, Stanley, in his escape from their country's oppressive communist regime. Sadly, her father died only days before their escape, but Jessie was able to attend his funeral with her mother and younger brother. She and Stanley then left and lived for many months in camps set up by the International Refugee Organization (United Nations), first in Germany, then in Italy. On Nov. 7, 1948, together with four other couples, they were married in Bagnoli (near Naples), Italy. They registered to be put on the list of Czech refugees hoping to emigrate to the U.S.A. While they waited, they emigrated to Canada, where they spent the next five years. At this time, as landed immigrants, Jessie was urged to change her name from Zdenka to something easier for the English-speaking community to pronounce. Thus, she became Jessie. Finally, in 1954, after their first two daughters were born in Canada, their names surfaced to the top of the U.S. Czech refugee immigrant quota, and they were finally able to begin their new lives as U.S. citizens. They settled in Detroit, and then later in the Cleveland area, when Stanley was hired by NASA.

Throughout her adult life, Jessie helped support the family by sewing for personal clients, and making much of her and their daughters' own wardrobe. Her talents were awesome, and she always had plenty of women who treasured her ability to create or tailor unique clothes to their specifications. When she and Stanley retired to the Dayton area, Jessie found employment in a drapery shop. When she was not working, Jessie was fond of listening to opera and other classical music while she cooked her delicious meals. She was also an avid reader.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 AM Friday, November 4, 2016 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Troy with Fr. James Duell as Celebrant. Visitation will be held 8:30AM-10:30AM at Fisher-Cheney Funeral Home prior to the service. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Troy. In lieu of flowers, please make any memorial contributions to: Loving Care Hospice-Marysville: 779 London Avenue P.O. Box 613, Marysville OH 43040. Arrangements entrusted to Fisher-Cheney Funeral Home, Troy.