Maryanne Marchellino

Maryanne Marchellino, 87, of Hampton, Iowa, passed away peacefully Friday, September 2, 2016. Maryanne was born December 25, 1929, in Alexander, Iowa. Her parents, Wesley Wilson Parks and Marjorie Ann (Cross) Parks welcomed their Christmas day bundle of joy by keeping her safe and warm on the oven door. She was the fifth child to be born into the Parks' family which eventually gave her six brothers. Maryanne's lifelong love of art and literature was evidenced via many avenues throughout her life. During high school, she painted photographs for a local photographer and upon graduating from Hampton High School in 1948, Maryanne worked for Farmer's Hybrid in the lower offices of the Coonley Hotel. Her family's businesses, the El Rancho Motel & Restaurant, were advertised by large billboard signs hand painted by Maryanne with her designs of stagecoaches, wagon wheels and western rope. Though she was quiet and shy, Maryanne was a strong role model for her daughter. During the blizzard of March 18, 1965, The El Rancho restaurant burned to the ground. Encouragement from all of Maryanne's six brothers to enroll in college changed the direction of her life. Maryanne's positive attitude led her on to complete her associate of arts degree from Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa, in 1968. In this era of attending college, Maryanne was considered a "non-traditional student," one of the first women at Ellsworth to begin their college career in their 30's and 40's. Maryanne commuted daily to Cedar Falls, Iowa, to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1971, at the University of Northern Iowa in Art Education. Maryanne taught K-12 art classes in Wilton, Iowa where she became a favorite with students and staff. Upon returning to Hampton in 1980, she and her daughter formed their design company, M+M Designs. For almost 10 years, they worked for Meredith Publishing Company in Des Moines, Iowa, creating designs for the Better Homes and Gardens special yearly editions of 100 Ideas Under $100. Later, Maryanne was also co-owner and manager, along with her daughter, of the toning and tanning business, Today's Concept, located in Hampton. When Maryanne's vision began failing, making drawing and painting impossible, she turned her creative outlet to flower gardening. She created the park like expanse of trees, shrubs, and hundreds of flowers into the "Secret Garden," a favorite highlight of many "Sister Friend Weekends" that are still being talked about today. The unconditional love Maryanne gave to her family also became a part of her Secret Garden. There was rarely a time when she did not have adored pets following her around the garden each morning and evening inspecting each new bloom, butterflies, and birds inhabiting her many colorful bird houses. Maryanne drew special enjoyment from all the wonderful wildlife populating the wooded, Spring Creek area. Over the years, her own special herd of deer learned how to open her arbor gate, adorned with the plump, pink blossoms of the Mandavilla vine, and it seemed to her they would tread carefully between her masterpieces. This years's addition and creation of Fairy Gardens in the Secret Garden, delighted her great-granddaughters, Sofia, Adison, and Alivia. Her prayers and dreams for them were to recognize, as they get older, that anything is possible. Maryanne was an avid reader and told the story of when she was little, and her mother would find her once more, "lost in a book." She would tug on her ear to get her attention. The last thing Maryanne read was the Mitford series by Jan Karon. She would tell you, it's a MUST READ. The books celebrate the beauty of ordinary lives. She would also recite from the Book of Common Prayer. Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Amen. Maryanne's faith was always central to her life. Though she refused to worry about herself, she would always worry for everyone around her. Her belief in daily prayer led her to become a "prayer warrior." Everyone and all of God's creatures were included. Maryanne will be greatly missed. She led an extraordinary life of inspiration, quiet perseverance and "out of the blue", one line summations of humorous joy! The impact she had on the lives of family and friends will endure and Maryanne's lasting legacy is one of love and kindness to all. Maryanne is survived by her daughter Marjan Marchellino of Hampton, granddaughter Gina (Gabe) Jorgensen of Hampton, granddaughter Valeria (Vosburg) (Ozzy) Gonzalez of Hampton, great-granddaughters Sofia, Adison, and Alivia, brother-in-law and sister-in-laws Steve Coulter of Des Moines, Pauline Parks of Hampton, Marlys Parks of Charles City, and numerous nieces and nephews. Maryanne was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers: Bernard Higgins, Morris Parks, Don (Fonda) Parks, Stan Parks, Wes (Junior) Parks, and Eugene Parks. Memorial may be directed to the Hampton Public Library or sent to Marjan Marchellino, P.O. Box 393, Hampton, Iowa.

Tributes

Maryanne Marchellino

December 25, 1929 - September 2, 2016