Marie Louise Moore
Nov. 2, 1949 – Mar. 8, 2021
The family of Marie Louise Moore, teacher, mentor, and friend of many, mourns the loss of our beloved sister at Parham Doctors Hospital, Monday morning, March 8, 2021 at 1:29am after several years of respiratory and digestive ailments. Marie was preceded in death by her partner Wayne Knight in 2003. Both worked for decades at the Virginia School for the Blind.
Marie was a tireless traveler to family in the US and Canada and visited England, Malaysia, Ireland, and Norway. In retirement, Marie was a spirited volunteer tutor in reading at Overby-Shepherd Elementary School’s Catholic Charities program for new Americans.
IN LIGHT OF Covid, Marie has requested a small remembrance ceremony, being planned according to her wishes with former friends and colleagues Willie Ice and Peggy Fields, outdoors, in late May, and a family-attended burial of her cremains with Wayne, in Spotsylvania at their plot.
Condolences and memories can be emailed to me, Marie’s older sister, Ellen V. Moore <[email protected]>, or postal mail at Ellen V. Moore, 175 Beaver Creek Drive, #1270, Nederland CO 80466. Donations can be made in Marie’s name to The Resettlement Project Education Services, C/0 Kathleen McCormick, Catholic Charities Services of Richmond, 1601 Rolling Hills Drive, Richmond, VA 23229
I miss you so much, Marie. I miss your kindness and wisdom and the many conversations we shared about everything and nothing. I miss being able to call you on a moments notice for breakfast or dinner out.
You gave so much to your students and you wanted everyone of them to succeed. Your effort and commitment was profound. You had a gift of patience.
Thank you for helping Rosie learn to read when she was small and feeling left behind.. Thank you for making reading fun for her. Thank you for bearing witness to Charlie’s jokes and tricks, as he did feel special when he was little, and had an adult audience. And thank you for being one of the first people to celebrate Courtney’s adoption and that first special birthday, when we had eight parties in eight days! She still remembers and you helped create those memories.
You loved gardening and fresh flowers, Korean music and bridal magazines. You enjoyed interpreting dreams, both your own and those of others. You loved children and understood yourself to be part of the village needed
to raise and guide each one.
You were a really special friend and I’m so grateful the Universe made it possible for us to have those last 5-6 days together as you prepared to transition. Your courage, clarity, and awareness of how to live, and how to pass to the next stage of living, was inspiring and humbling.
I love you my friend, and I miss you.
Marie was a quiet, soft spoken friend who left the world a better place because she was in it. To me she was an inspiration in her independence, hopefulness and quiet intelligence. I loved knowing her in San Francisco, sister of my good friend Ellen Moore, her sister. Marie baby sat for me in a pinch whenever I needed and my daughter, Torry, loved when she came over. We talked about men a lot as single women will do and she inherited my king size bed when I married because I told her it was good luck. We laughed at that! But the bed wasn’t the luck. It was who she was and Wayne saw in her all that was wonderful. Both my daughter and I will always have good memories of her. Thank you, Marie. We love you.
Marie was a kind and gentle spirit. She always thought in creative ways to assist the individuals that she served. She had a warm smile and an endearing way that made you immediately comfortable in her presence. I know she’s having a great time in heaven being with Wayne and other long time DBVI colleagues and friends, Candace Catron, Bob Double and Sam Hines! I bet there’s a great celebration up there! Sending love and light as you remember her and hope that time and happy memories will bring comfort!
Sometimes there are just no words. No words to describe such a kind and gentle soul that is gone too soon. In the 35 years I had known Marie, I have never seen her falter from her path of giving to those around her. It was always about helping others, whether it was her students, her colleagues, or her friends. Marie was the constant, steady light in the world of education. She shared that light with so very many people. Teachers come and go through the years, but there are those that embody the very essence of caring. That was Marie. She will be missed so much by so many. Marie, I know you must be teaching someone as I write this. Keep the light burning, dear friend. I will miss you, but I will always remember you with love and the deepest admiration.
I
I thought I was through with tears, but as Bruce and I talked about Re’s death, I found myself unable to go on, Bruce waited till I collected myself, but then he got caught up remembering last Thanksgiving when he came to Richmond to spend Thanksgiving with Marie. I don’t think I will ever be though with tears where Re is concerned. We three attended a Beatles Concert in Shea Stadium and didn’t hear a single song or a single note! But Marie and Bruce appreciated the crowd and its enthusiasm. We loved bobbing around in the New Jersey surf and hotdogs and pizza at the Boardwalk. Re loved the Rocky Mountains and the park in Aspen honoring her favorite John Denver, and later Yellowstone National Park where we watched Old Faithful geyser through several rounds. We both loved the Museum of Art in Richmond and the abundant azaleas all over town in everybody’s gardens. in spring in Richmond. She loved Nederland CO and the Carousel of Happiness. Now I’ll never ride without remembering her huge smile..
Marie was a joy to be with! She was so dedicated to all her endeavors and worked tirelessly to be of service. A find memory is stopping the the drive-through of McDonald’s after church one summer Wednesday evening and the server gave us each a cone piled so high with soft serve vanilla ice cream, that it was comical! “I’m getting ready to clean the machine–no need to waste all this good ice cream!”said the gal. Marie and I laughed and enjoyed those cones all the way to her house. I will miss her scripture reading and can-do attitude.
I often remember my first weeks working with dbvi and coming to vrcb where I met Marie. Marie was such a kind and caring person with a good sense of humor and wit. I enjoyed learning about about vrcb and how she worked with her students, but most of all I enjoyed talking to Marie and seeing her at some of the staff meetings. I will be praying for God’s comfort, peace, and strength as you miss Marie–what special person she was.
I first met Marie when I was 17. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. Through the years our relationship transcended from Teacher/Student to friends. Marie taught me many thing such as Math, English, Job Readiness skills. But most of all, she helped me through some of life’s greater struggles. Marie was the kind of person you could discuss anything with, and she would attentively listen for as long as I needed to talk. I will carry MARIE’S words of wisdom with me throughout the rest of my life. I am honored to have had such a special person in my life. Marie was a dedicated teacher and loyal friend. Marie, I will never forget you. You have had such an impact on my life. I will miss our talks and laughs. Heaven has gained an angel. I can feel your presence watching over me and even though I miss you dearly, it brings me comfort to know that you are always here in spirit.
Sincerely
Melissa Harrell
Sharing thoughts and prayers to the family of Marie for their loss.