Teresa Marshall

Teresa Ann Millette Marshall, 88, of Carmel, IN passed away in her home on June 6, 2014. Teresa was born August 18, 1925 in Vermillion, South Dakota to a farming family. Her deafness was discovered around the age of 2-3 years old and until the age of 7 she had no formal language. An outreach worker from the S.D. School for the Deaf, searching the state for Deaf children, found her and that began Teresa's formal education at the residential school for the Deaf in Sioux Falls. In 1946, Teresa attended Gallaudet College in Washington DC, then returned to S.D. and facing a far greater challenge, attended Sioux Falls College and with only the aid of the hearing students' notes successfully graduated with a BS degree. While attending college, she enjoyed working as a Medical Technician and had a four year courtship with a Deaf graphic arts teacher who would become her beloved husband of 53 years, Marvin Marshall. Marvin secured a teaching position at the Minnesota School for the Deaf and they moved to Faribault, MN where they started a family. Teresa was a stay at home mom while volunteering at a local hospital and acting as a Cub Scout den mother. With the youngest child starting school, the Principal of the School for the Deaf, after seeing Teresa's handling of her own children, convinced her to become a teacher. Teaching became Teresa's true calling. Active in the Deaf community, she assisted in the establishment of the Minnesota chapter of the JrNAD (National Association of the Deaf). In 1969, the family moved to Indiana where Teresa/Tess taught various subjects in the Middle School at the Indiana School for the Deaf. She worked tirelessly during this period, teaching by day and at night creating lesson plans, correcting papers, successfully completing her Master's degree in Special Education at Butler University, and managing her 70's era teenagers. Over the years countless numbers of former students informed us that she was one of their favorite teachers. She often said that her success with students was that she believed in them. She wanted to see each one perform to the best of their individual ability and they knew she genuinely cared about them. Teresa and Marvin retired in 1986 and focused even more energy into organizations such as the Indiana Chapter of the Registry of Interpreters of the Deaf. They greatly enjoyed travelling the world with Deaf tour groups. Shortly after their fiftieth wedding anniversary, Teresa nursed her husband Marvin through his ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) until his death in 2004. Afterwards Teresa continued to enjoy her life with her bridge group, the MCL Wednesday luncheons, the Red Hat Society, attending various Deaf community events, travelling to Deaf Senior Citizen conventions, keeping in touch with her friends across the country on the videophone, visiting with her beloved relatives, and proudly enjoying her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Throughout her life and to the end Teresa loved people. Her smile easily brightened up a room and in turn brought smiles to the faces of others. A comment often made about her from both Deaf and hearing people was that they felt a sweet loving kindness from her that left them feeling happier. The family expresses much gratitude to Bethany Adner and Arthur Day for their wonderful friendship and care which enabled Teresa to live quite comfortably and happily in her home. Teresa is survived by her children, Liza Marshall of Rochester NY, Vernon (Sandy) and his wife Jean Marshall of Phoenix AZ, Carlyle Marshall of Indianapolis, Bren Marshall of Indianapolis, 4 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. If you are moved to do so, please share a message here with Teresa's family and community. If you would like to make a donation in Teresa's name we ask that you donate to the Indiana School for the Deaf. We welcome you to a Celebration of Life/Memorial Service on September 6, 2014, Saturday at 2pm. Services will be held at Flanner and Buchanan at 1305 Broad Ripple Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46220.