Armstrong, Marie Mares

Marie Ann Armstrong, aged 84, passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at LewisGale Hospital Montgomery in Blacksburg, Virginia. Marie was born November 1, 1941 in Bear Creek, Wisconsin, where she grew up working on her family’s farm.

Marie received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, and taught 5th grade for several years in the Milwaukee area. On a ski trip with the Vagabond Ski Club of Milwaukee, she met the love of her life, James (Jim) Armstrong, who she married on June 28, 1969. They moved to Blacksburg, Virginia in 1975, where she raised two children and continued her career in education, working at Belview Elementary School, as an aide specializing in reading and special education.

Marie was a loyal member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Blacksburg, singing in the church choir for over 30 years. She was also a founding member and historian of the Blacksburg Master Chorale and sang in the chorus of Opera Roanoke for many productions. Marie loved spending time with her family, singing, playing sheepshead, traveling, and playing tennis and golf. She was a devoted wife to her husband Jim, an Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor at Virginia Tech, who were both devoted Hokie football fans. Marie and Jim celebrated their 54th Wedding Anniversary on June 29, 2023.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Jim, parents Bernard and Leona Mares, sister Rojene (Bill) Kramer, brother Jim (Sue) Mares and sister-in-law Ellen (Chuck) Carns. She is survived by her siblings Carmella (Rodger) Kuhnke, John (Kathleen) Mares, Terry Mares and Gerard (Ann) Mares, as well as her son Michael (Christine) and daughter Anne Marie (Kevin) and grandchildren Claire, Abigail, Ben, Ellie and Ella.

The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 10:00AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Blacksburg with Fr. John Asare officiating. Burial will be in Westview Cemetery in Blacksburg, followed by a reception for friends and family at St. Mary’s. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 21, 2026 from 5-7 PM at McCoy Funeral Home in Blacksburg.