Marvin Lee Carney, led adventurous, creative life
Marvin Lee Carney, 70, transitioned from this life to the next Friday, March 15, 2024, surrounded by his wife and four children. If the success of life can be measured by the smiles and laughter we bring to others, Marvin’s life was a rousing success.
Marvin was known as “M” to his beloved wife, Becky, and “Marvelous” to his children and many friends. He was born and raised in Cheswold surrounded by his large, extended family, who carry the traditions and legacy of their Lenape Indian Tribe. He attended Dover High School and spent many weekends photographing his surfing and skateboarding friends in Rehoboth Beach. After high school, he attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where he refined his natural talent for fashion photography and design. In the late 1970s, he and his first wife, Diane, along with three of his uncles, ran the High Roller Skateboard Park.
After a move to Sussex County, Marvin worked with Atlantic Litho printing company, where he created the logo for the Beebe Medical Group, among many other designs. His skills later took him to Grotto Pizza’s advertising team, where he met his wife, Becky, with whose support he started his own graphic design company, MLC Productions, and later Delaware Beach Book, which has just run its 14th annual printing. Marvin’s sense of humor, his easy nature, contagious smile, and willingness to serve his community fostered many deep and lasting friendships with people too numerous to list here. He was a wonderful, patient, and generous husband, father, grandfather, cousin, and friend to so many people, and will be missed beyond measure.
His memory and legacy are carried forward by his Cheswold family, Minnie and Fred Bowen, Ed and Tonya Durham, Carlton “Buster” Coker, Dennis Coker, Carla Coker, Curtis Coker, Christopher Coker, Randy and DeeAnn Coker, and Peter Coker, and their families. The stories of adventure and thrills are never-ending amongst this group, and they were shared generously during Marvin’s final days.
Those closest to him hold him in love, laughter, and gratitude. His wife, Becky, whom he married atop the Great Dune in Cape Henlopen State Park during a nor’easter, because they always do things their way; his children, Jan Kauffman, Leigh Ann Luscan, Sean Donovan and Colleen Carney; their partners, Dave, Claire and Wes; and his grandchildren, Trey Kauffman, Rowan and Simon Luscan, Leighton and Ella Donovan, and Archer Coverdale.
Donations in honor of Marvin’s big, creative, and adventurous life can be made to Delaware Hospice, where he and his family were cared for with the highest levels of skill, compassion, and kindness. It was with their support that Marvin’s last days were peaceful and comfortable.
Visit Marvin's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
