Marie Justine Niemann
December 4, 1932- July 18, 2016
A year ago we lost our sister, our aunt, our friend, Marie Niemann, after a nine-year battle with cancer. She faced this challenge with a courageous, analytical, matter-of-fact approach that reflected her medical training. Throughout this time Marie continued to be her bright, articulate, humorous self, and was full of life right up to her final months. Marie was a successful student and a well-respected teacher. After graduating from Piedmont High, Cal, Merritt College, and the University of ,ashington she had a long, distinguished career teaching nursing at San Jose City and Evergreen Colleges. Marie loved and generously supported the San Francisco opera and symphony. She frequently invited friends and family to share performances using the season tickets she held for 40 years. Marie was always engaged, and was very engaging. She was generous with her time and attention and had a genuine interest in others. She wanted to know other people’s stories, and after your first conversation with Marie, you felt that you had just made a new friend. She saw, and brought out, the best in people and always made it a point at gatherings to connect with those who may have been unconnected. Marie was a true champion of the underdog. She gave her time and support to local children’s programs, and the Humane Society. Marie’s passion was travel. She filled her school breaks with trips all over the world. She was interested in other cultures, their traditions, and their day-to-day living. She had drawers full of postcards and pictures and loved sharing them. Nothing made Marie happier than to hear of someone else, especially a grand niece or nephew, who was going off to explore new places the way that she had. “Do it while you’re young”, was her advice to all.
Marie is deeply missed by her friends who she treasured like family and her family who all considered her a best friend. ,e miss her incredible sense of humor, her wit, and her generous spirit. ,e miss the stories of her travels, growing up in Piedmont, days in “The City” where her grandparents lived, and long family summers at Tahoe. ,e miss discussing sports, politics, and the events of the day. ,e miss the phone calls in which no matter how much you asked about her, the conversation always ended up being centered on you. And we miss finding a postcard in the mailbox from some faraway place that Marie visited in years past.
Until we meet again, Bon Voyage Tia.