Marni R. Stambler

Marni R. Stambler

Age: 44 • Brandon

Marni Rachel Stambler died on September 21, 2015 surrounded by loved ones and her beautiful music. Born on October 13, 1970, in Minneapolis, MN, Marni was a strong, deeply loving, and feisty person right from the start. Just before Marni's second birthday, she moved with her family to the Burlington area and enrolled in the Ethan Allen Child Care Center. There her fun loving attitude and her sensitivity to the feelings of adults and children quickly won the hearts of her peers and teachers. Overcoming medical predictions, Marni learned to walk and talk; and with her teachers and peers she gained a sense of joy and humor that continued throughout her life. In 1982, Marni was awarded the center's highest honor, the "All Time Ethan Allen Child Care Center Child." Marni attended the Schoolhouse in her early elementary years and then, with the support of Superintendent Fred Tuttle, she became a pioneer entering the South Burlington Elementary School system, where she again won the hearts of all with whom she came in contact. Throughout her life Marni enjoyed music, cheered on the Red Sox and Patriots, dreamed of traveling "over the rainbow," and continually challenged herself and those around her.

In the last 14 years of her life, Marni gained a second family when she moved to the home of Jim and Brenda Wade and their children Nikki and Taylor and grandchildren, Hayden, Brody and Roman; and housemate Donald LaRock. With the Wades, she was adored, loved, and they learned to give back the teasing that Marni never ceased to give others. Among the medical professionals who were in her corner and under her thumb for years are pediatrician Donald Swartz and adult physician Jennifer Gilwee. Ray Hathaway, executive director of Specialized Community Care, the non-profit agency serving Marni, has given her and her family unwavering support both personally and professionally since 1980.

Marni is survived by her parents, Kay Stambler and Stanley Greenberg; her brother Aaron and sister-in-law Elaine Miller; nieces Sarah and Esther; step-sister Lisa Sawin and brother-in-law Stephen Sawin; and her niece Emma, and nephews Will and Oliver; and her nieces Destiny, Desiree and nephew Henry. She was predeceased by her father Henry Stambler and brother Joshua Stambler.

Marni will be buried this Thursday in the family plot in King David Cemetery in Falls Church, Virginia at 11 am. A memorial service in Burlington is scheduled for Sunday, October 11 at 1 pm at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 North Prospect, St. Shiva will be observed at the Stambler-Greenberg home, 6 Arbor Road, South Burlington on Friday, September 25 from 2 to 4 pm; following Shabbat on Saturday, September 26, from 7:30 to 9 pm, and on Sunday, September 27, from 2 to 4 pm. In lieu of flowers donations the family requests donations be made to Specialized Community Care, P.O. Box 578, East Middlebury, VT 05740. Arrangements are by Boucher and Prtichard Funeral Directors.

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