Marian never let fear get in her way. She faced her fear of water by boating with friends and family. She even learned to kneeboard and loved it! In 1983, Marian decided to take snow skiing lessons at 49 Degrees North. A program had just started for the blind that wanted to ski. The director of this program was Tom Schimmels. This is how Marian met Tom, her long time friend and companion. Marian loved to dance. Ballroom dancing was her favorite and she won several awards for this in various competitions. Marian truly loved learning. Whenever new technology arrived at Lilac Blind, we could always count on Marian to read the manual and then instruct us in the short version of operations, a trait that all staff members greatly appreciated about Marian.

Marian loved life and the simple things that life provided. When she was able, she loved gardening and raising roses. She loved decorating for Christmas, French Vanilla Coffee and jalapeno poppers. She loved walking with her beloved guide dog and companion Lapis. Also, Marian loved to laugh and make others laugh. Often when Marian felt I was stressed or worrying a little too much about something, she would come into my office to tell a joke or funny story making me laugh. I will truly miss that!

Since January, 2000, Marian worked as our head instructor in our computer department. Before teaching at Lilac, she worked as a Financial Planner and in real estate. Marian's students were very important to her. She taught with enthusiasm and made learning fun. She was excited when Lilac Blind opened the Computer Lab offering blind people an opportunity to learn how to do whatever a sighted person does on a computer. Her mission was that blind students gain the independence and freedom that she had gained from technology. Marian had been ill for a long time with diabetes, heart damage and kidney failure. Every day Marian faced health challenges. She had good days and bad days. Even on her bad days, she managed to make it to work. This was not an easy task, for Marian traveling to Lilac Blind was not as simple as getting into a car and driving to work. Rather, she had to stand outside to catch a bus to downtown, then wait again to catch another bus to Lilac Blind, even in the snow and rain. She never complained about how she felt, but those of us close to her could tell when she was physically struggling more than normal - another testament of her tenacity. Marian's students were very special to her. They are very fortunate to have had Marian as their teacher.

I speak for all at Lilac Blind when I say that she greatly touched our lives and we are better off having spent time with her. She made a great impact on every life she touched. Her spirit will always be with us and we will deeply miss her.

Dene had a long and distinguished business career serving in executive positions with many companies including Eastman Kodak, the Memorex Corporation, K2 Skis and Advanced Input Devices before co-founding Interlink Services, Inc. in 1995. He belonged to many industry and professional organizations and held positions on the Spokane Falls Community College's Curriculum Advisory Board for the Graphic Designs Department, ITT Technical Institute's Curriculum Advisory Board and on the board of directors for the Lilac Blind Foundation.

Rose devoted her life to helping others and led a very full life because of it. Rose will be remembered by her many friends and co-workers for her dedication to her work and giving spirit.