Marie Christine Sanner
Of Mill Valley passed away suddenly on April 17, 2014 while enjoying a hike on Mt. Tam with her German Shepherd companion, Fiona. Born in Long Beach, California, Marie entered this world on February 21, 1964 to the delight of her parents, Paul Sanner and the late Maureen O'Brien Sanner, and her eleven-month-old brother, Michael. Her younger sister, Catherine, was born in 1978. Having moved to Mill Valley with her family in 1966, Marie always considered it her home. Marie attended Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School and then graduated from Tamalpais High School in 1982. She graduated from Colorado College in 1986 with a Bachelor's Degree in Art. After further study in Perugia, Italy, and working at Living Foods in Mill Valley, Marie obtained her bilingual teaching credential at San Francisco State University in 1992. She served as an assistant teacher at Old Mill School in Mill Valley, and taught elementary school in Greenfield in the Salinas Valley from 1993 to 1998. Marie then taught at the Hawthorne Elementary School in the Fruitvale District of Oakland from 1998 to 2006, and ever since has been teaching at Think College Now, a public elementary school where she was known as 'Ms. Marie'. Think College Now is dedicated to ensuring 'that all students have the tools to choose their life's path and desired occupation with an equal opportunity to attend college and pursue their dreams.' Marie's calming personality and radiant smile made her a joy to be around. If you were with Marie, she was present and gave you her undivided attention; she cared. While adventurous enough to play little league baseball with the boys, she never considered herself particularly competitive, and during her four-year basketball career at Tam High earned the title of 'Marin's most delicate' player. Marie was an accomplished flamenco dancer, expressive painter, avid hiker, talented tennis player, and passionate teacher. She was a cherished daughter, much loved sister, and adored aunt. In the recent days since her tragic and untimely passing, Marie has been consistently described as a sweet, compassionate, and giving soul. She was deeply humble and empathetic. Her warm and gentle nature and unfailing kindness reflected a profoundly loving family and manifested in her devoted care for her mother during a protracted struggle with Alzheimer 's disease. Marie was uncompromisingly true to her spirit, an authentic individual who has left behind a beautiful legacy of caring for children, for animals, for the environment, for her friends, and for her family. Although taken from us suddenly and too soon, her life well-lived is a guidepost for the rest of us. Marie will be deeply missed. She is survived by her loving friend, Scott Mayhew of Mill Valley, her father Paul of Woodacre, brother Michael Sanner and sister-in-law Claire, niece Margaux and nephew Paul of Paris, France; sister Catherine Sanner Arroyo and brother-in-law Dylan, niece Maddy and nephew Jackson of Woodacre; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, students, and her faithful German Shepherd, Fiona. Marie is predeceased by her mother Maureen who passed away in June 2013. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, April 25 at 10:00am, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Mill Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to Think College Now Elementary School in honor of Marie Sanner. (TCN/OSF: 2825 International Blvd. Oakland, CA. 94601. Attn: Michelle Saavedra for Marie Sanner).