Marie Lois Pearson

Marie Lois Gifford was born on September 13, 1944 in Minneapolis, MN to Delmar and Eleanor (Healy) Gifford. Her father worked for a railroad company though he was in the Army in Germany when she was born; he was running military trains as World War II was coming to an end. The family lived in Stewartville, MN for several years before moving to Oelwein, IA where Marie attended 4th grade through High School and graduated in 1962 with honors. She was active in theater and choir. The family regularly attended the First Baptist Church and her parents were very involved in church activities. Marie attended and graduated from Sioux Falls College (now University) from 1962 - 1966; graduating with honors in the top 3 % of her class. Marie’s college major was English and she wanted to teach. While in college she met Eugene Pearson; they fell madly in love and were married in 1965. Marie and Eugene went to Rochester, N.Y. for graduate studies for Eugene while Marie taught high school English. They moved to Buffalo, N.Y. where Marie taught high school English for 3 years. In order to teach in New York one needed to pass an exam in the subject matter one would teach. There were 130 applicants taking the test for English majors – most were from large eastern Universities; Marie had the 2nd highest score in the group. In 1970 Eugene and Marie moved to Kansas City, KS where they have lived the past 53 years. They have two sons born in 1970 and 1973. Marie decided to stay at home to raise their two sons rather than continue teaching. Many young women at the time were selecting careers instead of staying at home – this was a new change in society. Marie became active in the community and volunteered to help run official elections. As their sons began attending public school Marie began volunteering at the school to help in any activity that might be needed. She became president of the PTA for 2 years, ran a RIF (reading is fundamental) program that gave out free books to every student twice each year. She was hired as a para professional to help in special education at the elementary school. Marie also took many graduate courses in English. When their sons were in high school Marie returned to teaching high school English in the district we lived in at J C Harmon High School for the next 15 years and was nominated as district teacher of the month, she began a Teachers of Tomorrow club for students who wanted to become teachers. They went to nearby elementary schools to help and observe. Marie was highly respected by both co faculty and administrators when policy issues needed to be discussed. Marie volunteered to join a team teaching group to help keep 9th graders in school & Marie was highly respected by parents of her students.

Marie retired in 2004 and became involved in helping with our grandchildren. She loved being a grandmother so much and had four wonderful grandchildren to love on frequently. Marie loved reading all kinds of books - especially science fiction and mysteries. She loved traveling – especially spending time near the ocean where she could hear the waves and look out over the water. She loved being with people and staying in touch with current events. But more than anything she looked forward to time with those grandchildren and watching them grow up so well. Marie is survived by her husband Eugene of Kansas City, KS, her two sons and their wives, Douglas and his Bethany of Mumbai, India, and Jonathan and his Laura and their four children – Kenzie, Andrew, Adeline and Samantha of Gardner, KS. Also surviving is her brother, Paul Gifford and his wife, Barb of Minnesota plus many nieces, nephews and cousins plus an Uncle, Len Healy of Minneapolis, MN.

In lieu of flowers the family would encourage any who wish to give to Doug’s ministry at Greater Grace World Outreach, 6025 Moravia Park Drive, Baltimore, MD 21206 (include Doug’s name with any gift) or give toward any literacy program in your own community.

Marie liked visiting with neighbors, friends and relatives; one special neighbor and life long friend is Billie Stanley and her family. Marie and Eugene had the privilege of learning ‘fun parenting’ while in graduate school in New York. Marv and Linda Lowry were also in married student housing with their young son, Christopher. They spent a lot of time with the Lowrys during the four years in New York and took care of Christopher often. Many years later Marie and Gene again had the privilege of learning “fun grandparenting” with Jon and Gayle Stanley and their three children, Christian, Autumn and Emma.