Maria Louise DiBartolo, born September 25, 1952, to Santo (Sid) and Ella (Mickey) DiBartolo. Maria passed away December 8, 2023, at the age of 71 after a long and difficult struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Maria was born in Nuremberg, Germany, where her father served in the United States Air Force. The family moved numerous times during her father's career before finally settling in Clear Lake, Washington, and graduated from Medical Lake High School.

She was a dedicated educator with undergraduate and graduate degrees from Eastern Washington University. She began her 35-year teaching career at Mead High School, later at Assumption Catholic School, and the final 25 years at Lakeside High School. She was honored to be named Eastern Washington's teacher of the month.

During her years at Lakeside, she was an exemplary instructor of English, psychology, and teaching academy and took great joy advising students on the publication of the annual yearbook. She ensured it covered all memorable events and included photos of each and every student. When the freshly printed copies arrived at the end of the school year, she would revel at the excitement on their faces.

Beyond the academics, her real passion was the special connection and bond she built with her students. She put great care into nurturing these relationships and taught the students not just about the subject at hand, but life. Over the years, a number of former students let her know what a lasting impact she made in their lives far beyond graduation.

Maria actively participated in the teachers' union as the local district president for several years and lead contract negotiator. Nine Mile School District teachers benefitted greatly from her steadfast and unyielding leadership at the negotiating table.

After retirement, Maria became a talented artist, mastering stained glass, glass bead fusion, clay pottery, mosaics, and countless other art mediums.

Retirement also provided Maria with numerous opportunities to travel the world: eastern and western Europe, New Zealand, Australia, India, the Middle East (Egypt, Jordan, and Israel), South America, Central America, the Caribbean, and southern Africa. Italy held a special place in her heart. She also traveled within the US: Maui on many occasions for whale season, New York to visit beloved relatives and see productions on Broadway, and Disneyworld, just to name a few.

Maria's favorite author Maya Angelo said "Love life. Engage in it. Give it all you've got. Love it with a passion because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it."

Maria is survived by her husband Michael Bell of 35 years, her sister Lynn Jones and brother and sister-in-law Tony and Laura DiBartolo. Maria was very proud of her children (spouses) Kimberly (Cory) Bonsen, Timothy (Jen) Snell, and Thomas (Kaila) Snell and stepchildren Kristal (Damian) Barbee, Stephen Bell, and Kadie (Doug) Sata. She was also a proud grandmother of eight; Maile Bonsen, Kaia and Kendall Snell, Makena and Josie Snell, and Keiichiro, Elsie, and Williamson Sata. She is sadly missed by all.

A celebration of Maria's life will be held on January 20, 2024, at 1 PM, at the Ball and Dodd Funeral Home in Spokane on West Wellesley followed by a reception. All are welcome at these events. For the reception, please RSVP to [email protected] and dress casually. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate).

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Spokesman-Review on Dec. 17, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Maria DiBARTOLO

1 Entry

Karla Sconiers

January 10, 2024

Very sad to hear of Maria´s passing. She was such a talented teacher and an influential, positive leader in our high school in Nine Mile. She is gone too soon.

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