Marie A. Starr, 83

December 31, 2025

Marie A. Starr, 83, of Lancaster, passed away Wednesday, December 31, 2025, after secretly fighting Stage 4 lung cancer. Born in Columbia, she was the daughter of the late Roger and Helen (Stabinski) Cranford. Marie was the loving longtime partner of over 30 years to the late Al Black.

She was a graduate of Columbia High School and Franklin & Marshall College where she earned a bachelor’s degree while working full-time and attending school at night. Marie worked as a controller for Hamilton Precision Metals for 28 years.

When not working she was sailing the Chesapeake Bay with Al on the “Halftime” out of the Northeast River Yacht Club where she was a lifetime member. Besides sailing the Chesapeake, she and Al sailed the Caribbean and the Greek Isles. When not sailing Marie and Al enjoyed traveling all over the world, and spending time in Cape May with her family.

Marie was selfless in her care of others and an inspiration. She took care of her partner Al who suffered from Alzheimer’s and did not miss a day visiting him at Luther Acres once she was unable to care for him at home. She was very social and genuinely cared about you whether you were family, friend, coworker, neighbor, or lifelong friend. She did things on her own terms and that’s what made her Marie. Up until the end she kept her illness a secret not wanting to ruin anyone’s Christmas. In the end she had no regrets and missed Al and her son terribly; a void no one could fill no matter how hard they tried. Marie has once again been reunited with her love and son.

Marie is survived by her daughter, Charisse Paige Rudolph, wife of Eugene, of Villas, NJ; grandchildren: Jillian and Colby Starr, daughter-in-law, Nicole Starr, and two fur babies Finn and Beau.

In addition to her partner, Al, Marie was preceded in death by her son Robert Starr; and brother, Roger Cranford.

Family and friends will be received for visitation from 10AM to 11AM, Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 409 Cherry St., Columbia, PA 17512. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11AM with Rev. Mark T. Wilke as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church at the address above or to Furever Home Adoption Center.