Marianne Artusio

Marianne Artusio, who was raised in Pelham and lived in Pelham Manor since 1980, died peacefully on March 7 after a short illness. She was 79. Born on September 3, 1946, to Dr. Joseph and Marylou Artusio, she lived in Pelham from 1950 until 1971.

A selfless, generous, and kind woman, Marianne devoted her life to helping others and making the world a better place. She advocated tirelessly for the most vulnerable, winning numerous cases on their behalf as both a dedicated attorney and later as a law professor. Those who knew her often called her Saint Marianne, moved by her extraordinary compassion and the way she lived her values every day.

An excellent student at Ursuline High School and Vassar College, Marianne graduated from Cornell Law School, where she was active in the Legal Aid Clinic. In 1971 she became a staff attorney at Monroe County Legal Assistance Corporation in Rochester, providing civil legal services to people living in poverty. There she met David Leven, whom she married in 1975. The couple moved to Pelham Manor in 1980. Marianne continued her work as a staff attorney at Westchester Legal Services, where she founded an elder law clinic in conjunction with Pace Law School. In 1988 she joined the faculty of Touro Law School, serving as Director of Clinical Programs and directing an elder law clinic. Hundreds of students benefited from her teaching and supervision until her retirement in 2022, after which she continued to teach periodically.

Beyond her professional life, Marianne gave countless hours as a volunteer. She served as the unpaid guardian for a man on Long Island, regularly driving to assist him with shopping and medical appointments. She volunteered weekly with County Harvest, delivering food to local food banks, and worked with Hearts and Homes for Refugees and Neighbors Link, providing legal representation and practical support to refugees, many from Afghanistan. She helped high school students prepare for moot court, prepared and delivered lasagnas through Lasagna Love, and remained deeply involved with her family. She cherished summers at the family cottage on Doc’s Island in Sharbot Lake, Canada, and took great joy in attending family weddings and graduations.

Marianne is survived by her loving husband David, her devoted children Carolyn Leven and Carson Leven, son-in-law Ken Shiraiwa, daughter-in-law Victoria King, and granddaughter Frankie Leven. She is also survived by her five siblings, Suzanne MacIntyre and her husband Neil, Joseph Artusio and his wife Doris, Evelyn Artusio, Mark Artusio, and Douglas Artusio and his wife Beth, along with many adoring nieces, nephews, and countless friends.