Maurine Osborne Marchani

Maurine O. Marchani 65 of New Palestine, IN passed away Oct. 12, 2010. Maurine was a teacher at Stoneybrook and Raymond Park Middle Schools. She retired in 2006. She was also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Indianapolis. Survivors: husband, Anthony E. Marchani; son, Mark E. (Elizabeth) Marchani; daughter, Erin M. (Mike) Steele; grandchildren, Izabelle Girdler, Jadyn Girdler and Anna Steele. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm Saturday, Oct. 16th at Southeastway Park 5624 S. Carroll Rd. New Palestine, IN. In leiu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the Nature Conservancy at my.nature.org/donate/tribute-giving.html MAURINE'S TRIBUTE - Mary Kress When Erit asked me to give Maurine's eulogy, I told him I was honored. In truth, however, I am honored to be Maurine's friend. She reminds me of one of those rare and beautiful butterflies she used to show me in her back yard. Her freedom of spirit and beautiful nature made her a standout in my life, as well as the lives of countless others. I have never known anyone like her, and I doubt I ever will. That old cliche' about God breaking the mold after He made her is applicable here. Maurine came into my life like a whirlwind when we began teaching together at Stonybrook. Her dry wit and quick intellect drew me to her immediately. In addition, her dedication to her students and her kindness to staff touched me deeply. She was known for taking in strays, pets and people. I was lucky enough to be one of them. On every holiday, she was afraid I'd be alone, so she'd invite me for dinner, along with a few other people she had taken in. She was a great cook, and I enjoyed many meals at her table, talking and laughing with family and friends. Maurine could mother you to death if you'd let her. When she was so weak and going through multiple surgeries, I finally had to refuse to come for a twenty course meal and insist that we go out to a restaurant. She loved O'Charley's, so Jean and I would go there and reminisce about our days at Raymond Park and Stonybrook and to talk about family and friends. One of my most treasured memories will be of September 30th when she took Jean and me to dinner there for our birthdays. Wherever we went, someone knew Maurine. It may have been a former student, who still called her Mom, or a noted artist in Indianapolis. Her fans and friends are legion because she was such a loving presence in their lives. Even as she used a walker to get around, she literally carted home cooked meals to her students in the SAL program at the University of Indianapolis. She was worried that they didn't get a good meal between their jobs and the start of class. Maurine always put other people first. In addition to her selfless giving to others, she made us all laugh. Her irreverent comments on life and the event at hand often sent me into gales of laughter, sometimes at inopportune times. She had a way of "calling" a situation or person that stripped away all pretense. Yet, she would never hurt someone's feelings. She made people feel comfortable in her presence, students and adults alike. I used to kid Maurine when she got fired up about something. I'd say, "Oh, that West Virginny gal is coming out!" It was that very spirit in her that sustained her through the hardest times. Her fire and desire burned so deeply that it infected others. She had a passion for many things, but teaching and nature were at the center of her being. The Outdoor Lab at Raymond Park stands as a testament of her devotion to both. She dedicated her life to the young people who sat in front of her. Her love of science and the students she taught did not go unnoticed. She was recognized by her peers for her teaching excellence by being named the Raymond Park Teacher of the Year. In turn, the township acknowledged her dedication by naming her Warren Township Teacher of the Year. Her students, likewise, invited her eight times to the Top Ten Recognition Program as a "Most Influential Teacher". However, her accolades did not stop there. Maurine's list of achievements reads like a Who's Who. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, National Education Honorary; Sigma Tau Delta, National English Honorary; and Alpha Lambda Delta, National Women's Honorary, to name a few. She was also chosen by Warren Township to represent it in the Teacher Leadership Academy. Indianapolis Power and Light honored her with the Golden Eagle Award as "Environmental Professional of the Year" and later awarded her the Golden Apple Award. Maurine was also IMLEA "Middle Level Teacher of the Year" for Region 7, as well. With all her involvement in her profession and all her extra activities, Maurine's heart rested in her family. She regaled us with many stories about Erit, Mark, Erin, Bella, and Anna. She opened her home to many of us and gave us the privilege of sharing in family life. The warmth and love that are present in her home will go on even though she is no longer with us. It is in each of us as we re-live the times of joy and sadness we shared with Maurine. Like that rare and beautiful butterfly, she now is free.