Mae Marvin Obituary

Mae Marvin (nee Crawford) came to teaching later in life, but instilled in her students a lifelong love of learning. At age 59, she stood before her first class of third graders at Kingsley School in Downers Grove, and admonished them to "never give up" and that if you set your mind to something and gave it your best, you would succeed. After retiring from teaching in 1979, she supported the Downers Grove Lions Club, along with her husband Fred, and became the first woman to join the Noon Chapter after Lions International approved admitting women to its ranks in 1987. Some men even threatened to quit the Lions when it allowed women members, she said. "But I notice they're still here anyway," she said jokingly. Her love of teaching never diminished, and she served as a literacy volunteer for many years, teaching English to foreign children and adults. "As I see it, each one teach one. If you know how to help them, help them," she said. Mae Marvin died quietly in her home in Downers Grove at age 97 on Wednesday, February 23. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, kindness to others, zest for life and unwavering devotion to her family, friends and students. Mae grew up in Chicago, graduated from Carl Schurz High School and then Elmhurst College at age 57. She married Fred Marvin in 1937 and in 1942 moved to Downers Grove, where they built their own home using borrowed books on constructing a house from the DG Library, raised two children and where Mae lived for the next 69 years. Mae was preceded in death by Fred, her beloved husband of 56 years. She is survived by her son, David Marvin (Nancy) of Greenville, DE and her daughter, Anita Smith of Hoffman Estates. Mae is also survived by 5 grandchildren, Todd (Jennifer), Stephen (Catherine), Brian (Andrea) Marvin, and Jodi and Walter (Laura) Smith; and 5 great-grandchildren. Mae was the fifth child of Robert and Catherine Crawford and was predeceased by brothers, William (Harriet) and Joe (Evelyn); and sisters Alice, and Ruth (Albert). Mae belonged to the Hinsdale Unitarian Church, and to the Scarlet Bloomers Red Hat Chapter in Downers Grove. Mae and Fred traveled to 50 states, Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia. A memorial visitation will be Saturday, April 30, 10 a.m. until services, 11:00 a.m. at Toon Funeral Home, 4920 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to: Adventist St. Thomas Hospice (119 E. Ogden, Suite 111, Hinsdale, IL, 60521) or the Downers Grove Library (www.downersgrovelibrary.org), 1050 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Info: 630-968-0408. For condolences, please visit www.toonfuneralhome.com