Maurine Stapleton

Maurine Stapleton

Maurine Stapleton's remarkable life ended on September 24, 2005, after a brief illness. She was born December 17, 1908, to Drs. Thomas Charles and Elizabeth Haney Morris in Spokane, Washington.
At age 16, her family moved to Los Angeles where she later attended UCLA, majoring in early childhood education. Jobs were scarce on the eve of the depression. Maurine accepted a position as tutor for a family with 6 children in Paradise, California. She later attended Business School and moved to San Franciso where she began a secretarial career. She met and married Thomas R. Stapleton in 1939. After beginning a family, the Stapleton's moved to Everett, Washington in 1947. Maureen was able to use her early childhood education training when she began teaching kindergarten in 1952 at Madison and soon moved to open View Ridge Elementary. She loved teaching and continued until she reached the mandatory retirement age in 1974. 1974 was a pivotal year. Her son, Thomas R. Stapleton II moved back to Alexandria, Virginia in the spring. Her husband passed away in May. She retired in June and her daughter Jean married in July. Maurine was a bright woman and knew that each of these events was life altering and stress producing. She became involved. Within months of her retirement, she renewed her relationship with the American Association of University Women, the Everett Garden Club and the Unitarian Church; participated in the Everett Senior Center in their writing class and bridge group; and became a Home Defender. She served for a time as president of the Everett Branch of the Seattle Repertory Organization; participated in Seattle Art Museum monthly lectures; regularly attend theatre; and traveled with friends to various Elderhostel locations. She continued in many of these activities for 31 years. She volunteered in the community. Maurine was constantly open and interested in learning and experiencing new ideas. She loved crafts, completed her daily crosswords, learned Mah Jongg at 91, and continued to be a voracious reader, enjoying her time with the Everett Library Book Group and working each Sunday in the Unitarian Second Hand Book Store after church.
Maruine was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas; brother, Norman Morris and her son-in-law, Alex Boris.
Her loving son and daughter, Thomas R. Stapleton II of Alexandria, Virginia and Jean Boris of Seattle, were with her at her passing.
Maurine was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was open-minded, believed the best of people and consciously looked for three things of beauty each day.
A memorial of her life will be held at the Evergreen Unitarian Universalist's Fellowship in Marysville on November 20, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. Remembrances may be made to the American Red Cross, the Evergreen Unitarian Church or a charity of your choice.