Marion Schaller
Born on March 2, 1926 in Oak Park, IL, died on May 31, 2017 in Chandler, AZ.
She married Cy Schaller in 1946 and celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary before he died in 2014. A lifelong lover of books and learning, Marion received a Bachelor’s degree in 1967 from Old Dominion University with a double major in Library Science and Education. While working full-time as a junior high school librarian, she earned a Master’s degree in Information Management from George Mason University. During her distinguished career in the library, she excelled at working with at-risk youth which carried over into retirement when she volunteered with the STRIVE Program at Chandler High School in 2004-05.
Marion was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the American Association of University Women. A resident of Sun Lakes, AZ since 1994, Marion resided at The Renaissance Senior Living Community for the last 7 years where she was an active member of the book club and expressed her artistic talents in water color and oil painting.
She was the devoted mother of Mary Stebbins, David Schaller (Kim Durlam), Diane Schaller (Bill Lawrence), Laurie Graaff (Tim), and John Schaller; and loving grandmother of seven and great-grandmother of seven.
Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at 2pm on Monday, June 12, 2017, in the Theater at The Renaissance at 9508 E. Riggs Rd, Sun Lakes, AZ. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marion’s memory can be made to the Chandler Rotary, P.O. Box 841, Chandler, AZ 85244 for a scholarship to be named in her honor.
Cy and Marion were the first to greet us when we moved into Sun Lakes twenty years ago. She taught me that you can grow roses
In AZ. I loved sharing them with her after she moved to the Renaissance.
We enjoyed reading and sharing books.
Lunch in March for our birthdays became a tradition.
I enjoy her cookbook of favorite recipes from so many of you.
We will miss her she was a wonderful lady and friend.
Marion and Cy have been dear friends and neighbors for 22 years. We have cherished their friendship all these years. What a loss for us all! Marion was always such fun, funny, so intelligent and clever. She was beautiful inside and out. We will miss her. Our love and deepest sympathy to the Schaller family, all. We love you, too.
Marion and Cy were our next door neighbours as of September, 1994. They always made us feel that they loved and cared about our children, Kim and John. Marion took me to my first low-impact aerobics class, in 1994, which became a regular routine for me for the next 22 years. We marvelled at how Marion and Cy could host a large dinner party with such ease – the meal was always “outstanding”, to use one of Cy’s favorite adjectives. Our family loved to visit with Marion and Cy, who were never opinionated but always offered such informative conversation and discussion. – two of the most intelligent people that we had the pleasure of knowing. We will miss Marion’s wonderful smile and her kind, gentle demeaner. We feel truly blessed to have known Marion, Cy and their wonderful family.
We have lost another beloved friend, but we cherish many, many wonderful memories of our friendship with the Schallers. We met when we marched up to their front door, introduced ourselves, and asked if we could see their house, because we were going to build the same model, and were told the Schallers had made some additions to the original model that we were interested in. A lasting friendship was born, and the rest is history! I remember very vividly the day Marion took me to Costco to shop for a dinner party I was planning, proving to me I did NOT have to spend the day in the kitchen preparing the menu. We shared many dinner parties, book clubs, lively discussions on a variety of topics, including how to compile a family cookbook, even an aerobics class which, I must admit, did not hold my attention for long. Marion was full of life, so interesting, so kind, just so much fun to be with. We shall miss her terribly but thank God for these wonderful memories she has given us. We are so sorry we are unable to attend the Celebration of her life, a life well-lived.
Our love and deepest sympathy to Mikie, Dave, Diane, Laurie and John, and their families.
Dear Family:
As my old sister Marion set a wonderful example of generosity, graciousness, love of people and love of learning, which I cherish. Cy was very dear to me also, and I think they made a wonderful couple and great parents.
Lovingly,
Aunt Joan and Uncle Bill
Dear Cousins:
I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mom. Aunt Marion was always so kind to me. I remember her sense of humor as well.
I wish I could be there for her memorial service tomorrow, as do my folks. But they are physically not able to travel.
Thinking of all of you as you celebrate the life of your wonderful Mother.
All the Best,
Cousin Paul