By Rebecca Billman
The Cincinnati Enquirer

KENWOOD - Marian Heekin Torbeck, known for her spirituality and charity, died of cancer Nov. 7 at home. She was 75.

Known as "Mio" to friends and family, Mrs. Torbeck was a tireless worker at Mercy Franciscan at St. John in Over-the-Rhine.

She was a "model of kindness, compassion and unfailing good humor," said her daughter, Krista Torbeck of Milford. "She taught us all how to love and laugh. She was an example of how to live life well."

Mrs. Torbeck grew up in Hyde Park and attended Summit Country Day School and the University of Cincinnati.

She raised five children and spread her special brand of love and kindness to all who knew her, her daughter said.

Her husband, Frank, died in 1987.

In addition to her daughter, survivors include four sons, Frank of Milford, Ted and Tom, both of Symmes Township, and Dan of Evendale; four sisters, Mary Francis Fitzerald and Nancy Bachmeyer, both of Anderson Township, Pat Ryan of Hyde Park; and Martha Bunker of Madeira, and eight grandchildren.

Services have been held. Burial was at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Montgomery.

Memorials: Mercy Franciscan at St. John, 1212 Sycamore St., Cincinnati 45210.

E-mail rbillman@enquirer.com