Marion Bennett Lisehora's Obituary
On a sun soaked, blue sky Saturday afternoon, the call came. With her training complete, and the will of a warrior, Marion Lisehora was chosen to join her heavenly team.
Marion Bennett (Copping) Lisehora, age 94, of Rehoboth Beach, DE, formerly of Millsboro, DE passed away peacefully, wrapped in love, and surrounded by her family in the ICU of Beebe Healthcare in Lewes on May 16,2026. Marion was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, teacher, friend, coach, and accomplished athlete. She lived a great story and left a legacy that will be remembered for years to come.
Born September 19, 1931, in Honolulu, TH (“Territory of Hawaii” prior to statehood), Marion was the only child of Bennett S. and Charlotte M. (Brazee) Copping. As a Navy Junior during World War II, Marion’s family moved often due to her father’s changing military assignments. Marion attended thirteen schools across five different states on opposite sides of the country before entering high school. Marion learned early on that life had challenges and she developed a resilient strength of character.
In eighth grade, Marion’s father was assigned land duty, and the family moved to Rockville, MD. Marion graduated from Richard Montgomery High School in 1949 after a stellar career as a three-sport athlete playing varsity soccer, basketball, and softball.
Marion attended the University of Maryland in College Park, MD to pursue a degree in Physical Education. To her complete dismay, the University offered no intercollegiate sports for women at the time. Longing for physical activity, Marion joined a co-ed group called the University of Maryland Gymkana Troupe. She learned performance gymnastics and participated in several acts during the Troupe’s traveling shows. She was voted Best Trouper in 1951. Marion developed lifelong friendships with her fellow troupers and found her future husband, Tony Lisehora, while bouncing on a trampoline.
College summers were spent working for the Takoma Park Recreation Department. Marion coached the 14U and 17U softball teams that both won the city championship. After work, she went swimming and practiced diving at the Takoma Park Swimming Pool. She was noticed by a coach there and invited to join their competitive team. The skills she developed while competing with this team would eventually land her a job offer at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, NJ. Marion began working at the Steel Pier in 1953 performing 20 ft. springboard diving and 30 ft. platform diving into the ocean below. When a co-worker abruptly left the show to get married, Marion was asked to add the role of riding the famous diving horse to her repertoire. Knowing the show must go on, Marion said yes and earned notoriety that would follow her the rest of her life as “The Diving Horse Lady”. Marion continued riding the diving horse from 1953-1956 in Atlantic City, NJ and at Aquafair in Miami Beach, FL during the entire year of 1957.
Marion and Tony were married on June 9, 1953. Over the next 33 years, they shared life’s journey together, raising a family of five children and becoming pillars of the Millsboro community. Marion’s beloved Tony passed in 1987.
Marion was hired to teach Physical Education shortly after desegregation in 1966 At East Millsboro Elementary School. She spent the next 31 years promoting her passion for sports to children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Marion excelled at teaching students new skills while building their character through a strict adherence to the tenets of sportsmanship and fair play. She drafted the most talented rising sixth graders each year to participate in the East Millsboro Gymkana Troupe which she modeled after the University of Maryland Gymkana Troupe of her college days. The excited students were honored to be chosen and proudly performed their gymnastic skills during half-time shows at local high school basketball games. They wowed the crowds with their high-flying, criss crossing vaulting routine.
At home, Marion and Tony’s three daughters and two sons were raised to follow an example that valued education, encouraged independence, and promoted a healthy lifestyle. The children were blessed with support for every endeavor they pursued. There were athletic contests, concerts, plays, parades and even a National Spelling Bee for son, Jim. There was community involvement with Boy Scouts, Campfire Girls, and Sunday School. No matter what, or where, Marion was there.
Marion continued her unwavering family support to the next generation as well. She attended games, recitals, and graduations. She began college funds for all fourteen of her grandchildren and was so proud that all earned bachelor’s degrees and several continued for advanced degrees.
Marion maintained her personal passion for participating in sports for the entirety of her 94 years. When there wasn’t a game to join, she recruited players, taught them the 'skills to play with, built a team to play on, a team to play against, and little by little, created entire leagues. She founded the Senior Women’s Softball league which continues each summer in Rehoboth. She also was responsible for creating a Senior Women’s Volleyball league. She traveled with her teams to compete in tournaments locally and across the country. Marion was so proud of the medals collected by the teams as 60, 70, and even 80 year-olds.
Marion was introduced to pickleball at the age of 80 by her volleyball teammate, Georgia Billger. Marion was instantly bitten by the pickleball bug. She found a sense of belonging with the pickleball community and relished the idea of developing new skills at an advanced age.
A mild stroke at age 90 affected Marion’s gait and balance. It was her desire to return to pickleball that fueled her work in therapy. She worked to regain strength and rebuild lost skills. She used a heavy, full sized metal grocery cart for stability so that she could begin jogging again. She inspired the neighbors in her community with her tenacity and excited the pups when she paused to hand out treats during her daily walks.
Marion returned to the pickleball courts. With adaptation and family support, she was able to play pickleball as recently as two months ago. Marion’s family extends sincere gratitude to Mark and Renate Shaw, and the entire “Nan and Monihan” group for keeping her in the fold of your pickleball family. It meant so much to her to share the court and the sidelines with you all.
Marion is survived by her five children, Barbara Markelz (Mark), Patty Kane (Bob), George Lisehora (Tanya), Diane Lisehora-Lins (Cindy), and Jim Lisehora (Terry Ballard); fourteen grandchildren , Heather Jennings (John), Mike Markelz (Ellen Wroe), Katie Pelhan (Steve), Carly Markelz, Jennifer Markelz, James Kane, Ben Kane (Tara), Sam Kane, Karen Kane, Bria Lisehora(Lucas Marin), Kapri Lisehora, Tony Milam (Julie Collins), Danny Milam (Blair Sanders), and Sara Hawley (Joey); and ten great grandchildren , Savannah Jennings, Ava Jennings, Austin Markelz, Jackson Markelz, Charlie Pelhan, Everett Pelhan, Fred Pelhan, William Hawley, Lily Hawley, and Cedric Marin-Lisehora; and two “step great grandchildren” Evan Collins, and Troy Keyser.
Marion’s family extends heartfelt appreciation to the doctors, nurses, and extended staff at Beebe Healthcare for the compassionate care that she, and we, received during this incredible loss for our family. We are forever grateful.
A Celebration of Life will be held on June 9, 2026, at Watson Funeral Home and Crematorium, 211 Washington Street, Millsboro, DE, at 11:00am with a viewing from 10:00am-11:00am, prior to the start of the service. Interment will be held at Millsboro Cemetery immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Marion’s memory to First State Pickleball Club, 134 Kingsbridge Road, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971, https://www.firststatepickleball.org, or to Delaware Senior Games, 1121 Forrest Avenue, Dover, DE 19904, https://desenior.games.
In honor of Marion’s memory, all are encouraged to live a great story through choosing an active, healthy lifestyle.
Please sign Marion's Tribute wall at this site.
FLORIST NOTE: PLEASE HAVE ALL ARRANGEMENTS DELIVERED TO WATSON FUNERAL HOME, MILLSBORO, ON MONDAY JUNE 8, 2026, BY 2:30pm
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