Marion Mingle

Marion Sheila Mingle, of Nashville, Tennessee, departed this life on June 12, 2026, at the age of 80. Born on December 13, 1945, in Glasgow, Scotland, Marion was the daughter of Mildred and William Shapiro. From an early age, she was independent, ambitious, and determined to forge her own path. She graduated from Eastwood Secondary School in 1960 and Allpress’ Business College in 1961. As a teen she began her career with Aitkenhead Solicitors in Glasgow and then worked at the London department store Bourne & Hollingsworth. Seeking new opportunities, Marion immigrated to the United States as a young woman to work for a patent attorney in Washington, D.C., whose sponsorship helped her establish a new life in America. She eventually made Nashville her home and began employment at the engineering firm Cottrell & House, where she met her future husband, Charles. She worked for Vanderbilt University before dedicating herself to raising her children, Danny and Kassie, and worked side-by-side with Charles to grow his new consulting business from their home. Marion embraced life in Nashville with energy and enthusiasm. She was a constant presence in her children's education, volunteering in Metro Nashville schools, chaperoning field trips, teaching French, assisting in the classroom, and even welcoming entire kindergarten classes to her Haywood Lane home for picnic lunches. She believed deeply in the value of education, and her own pursuit of lifelong learning included training as an interpreter, 911 operator, travel agent, and real estate broker. Entrepreneurial by nature, Marion embraced a variety of ventures, including baking and selling her traditional Scottish shortbread, sewing aprons for local craft fairs, and caring for beloved pets. She found expression in the arts, and she delighted in dance classes, writing, and sketching and illustration. As much as she loved Nashville, Marion enjoyed her vacations at the Gulf Coast beaches and made certain her children knew their Scottish roots through visits with family abroad. Marion's generous spirit touched the lives of humans and animals alike. She devoted her time to helping others through volunteer work across Nashville, including service with the Humane Association, Southern Hills Hospital, Metro Libraries, and as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). In her professional life, she found fulfillment working for nearby nonprofit organizations, including the Nashville Zoo and the YWCA. She enjoyed tending her flower garden and watching the birds that visited, especially hummingbirds, which held a special place in her heart—and ultimately, in her sixties, became the subject of her first tattoo. Another tattoo honored her beloved dogs, Sonny, Sam, and Samson, who were her treasured companions, as were her granddogs, Murray, Sophie, Sidney and Dexter, along with the many pets of neighbors and friends she lovingly cared for over the years. In her later years, Marion cherished the friendships she found at FiftyForward in Donelson and was the proudest Grammy to her only grandchild, John Ronan. Marion was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred and William Shapiro. She is survived by her son, Danny; daughter, Kassie; grandson, Ronan; siblings, Anne (Gary), Raymond (Tricia), Brian (Joan), Frank, Yvonne (Fraser), and Elaine; many nieces and nephews, including Johanna (Anton), Melanie (Nathan), Jude (Gary), Helen (Nick), and Caitlin (Lynsey); and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Marion's life was defined by adventure, compassion, resilience, and love. Though small in stature, Marion left a lasting impression wherever she went. Her outgoing nature and genuine interest in others, her distinctive Scottish-Tennessean accent, and her generous heart made her unforgettable to all who knew her. Finally, her perseverance will forever be an inspiration to her children. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Phillips-Robinson Funeral Home, 2707 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37216. Visitation will occur from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. The service will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Old Friends Senior Dog Sanctuary, 765 Nonaville Road, Mount Juliet, TN 37122.

Marion Mingle

December 13, 1945 - June 12, 2026