Maryanne Lee Ennis Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Florist note- please deliver any floral arrangements to the Lewes Funeral Home on Thursday March 10, 2022 between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. LIVE STREAM ADDRESS FOR FUNERAL MASS- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2vnHlr2UccJsuItv_Xrzhg FAMILY REMEMBRANCES WILL BEGIN AT 12:45 PM AT THE CHURCH JUST PRIOR TO MASS. Maryanne Lee Ennis age 83 Lewes Delaware Dedicated Educator and Community volunteer 2/4/39-2/25/22: Passed at Home in Lewes DE, as a result of complications from pancreatic cancer. Daughter of Major General Daniel Preston Lee & Catherine Desmond Lee of Wilmington. She was the first of their four children. Maryanne attended catholic schools in Wilmington & Public Schools in Seaford. She graduated from St. Elizabeth’s High School in 1957. Beginning at an early age, Maryanne started working for the family business, Delamore Dairy. She went onto work at Kates Advertising of Wilmington, and Capitol Airways as an International Stewardess. She graduated from the University of Delaware in 1962 with two degrees in education. Following her student teaching experience, she was offered a full-time position as a teacher at the Stanton Elementary school. Her straightforward and direct teaching approach prompted her to send a note to each student’s parents in which she stated, “I will believe only half of what I hear goes on at home, if you believe only half of what you hear goes on in school.” At the conclusion of her first year, she hand-made pottery mugs for her students, with a sketch of each child’s face on their mug. Maryanne saw opportunities presented by desegregation in the Delaware school system. Upon reading the Department of the Public Instruction’s (DPI) published plans, she identified many gaps which she felt needed to be addressed. This prompted her to create her own desegregation plan. As a result of her plan submission, the News Journal published it for public discussion. This resulted in her inclusion on the “Desegregation Implementation Committee”. With her participation, several of her recommendations were included to improve the final draft of the plan. She went on to a role in Public Relations for the National Job Corp center in Port Deposit MD. Maryanne had an endless love of children and made everyone she met feel like they were the most important person in the world. After raising three children of her own, she returned to teaching at Burnett Elementary School in Wilmington. During this portion of her teaching career, she constructed a large sandbox in her room, to create an archeological dig experience for her students. At Christmas time she would take many of the students to the Concord Mall and provide them money to buy presents for their family members. Later in her career, motivated by her and her family’s love of camping, she organized weekend visits to Cape Henlopen with many of her students, several of which had never visited the ocean before. She finished her teaching career working with students at Claymont Elementary School. While raising her family and living in the suburbs of Wilmington, she became concerned by the rust in the tap water provided to her neighborhood by the Wilmington Water Company. To make her point, she began saving rusty water in her children’s “Similac” formula jars to demonstrate the poor quality. Eventually, armed with bundles of rusty water in these jars, she went to the mayor’s office in Wilmington to formally complain. It wasn’t long after that, the city approved the funding and updated the service lines to her community. Throughout her life she served on numerous volunteer committees, among them were Edgemoor School Fall Fair Committee, Mt. Pleasant Jr. High PTA President, River Road Swim Club board member, CCD teacher at St. Helena’s church. She was a founding member of a community revitalization group, called Fox Point Association. This was an umbrella group of 14 neighborhoods located between the City of Wilmington and Claymont, that worked toward improving the many neighborhoods and community spaces. One of the results of these efforts, was the idea to promote more state preservation of open space, and the connectivity of new and existing public properties. This helped lead to the establishment of the Delaware Greenways non-profit organization. Having moved to Lewes, DE after retirement, Maryanne became involved with St. Jude’s Church and was a member of the Eucharistic Adoration Committee. She also served on the Lewes Historic and Scenic Byways committee. In line with her conservation efforts, she was a leader of a coalition of residents that worked tirelessly to preserve a portion of open space now known as Great Marsh Park in Lewes. Some of her most memorable life experiences included attending JFK’s Inaugural ball, a trip to study abroad in Europe, being elected May Queen at the U of D, whitewater rafting in Colorado and Laying on a bed of nails as part of a science demonstration. ( the latter two after age 60). One of her greatest loves was gathering friends and relatives during the holiday seasons at her home. Maryanne always put others wishes before her own. She went out of her way to be welcoming and loving to everyone she met. From family, friends and the Baa Baa group to lost cats and people. Some of her simple pleasures were visiting Williamsburg, gardening, kayaking at Lewes beach, This Old House, the Magnolia Network and a York Peppermint Patty! She is survived by her husband of 58 years David H. Ennis, their children, Eric Ennis (Beth Ann) Hockessin, Elizabeth Ennis (George Terrell) Lewes, and Sean Ennis of Wilmington. And the light of her life Granddaughter Kylie Marie-Vetterer Ennis. She is also survived by her Brother D. Preston Lee Jr. (Linda) of Lewes DE., and her sister Christine Marrone (Harry) of Wilmington. She is further survived by her three step-grandchildren, Sarah Terrell (Julia-Salas), Michael Terrell (Jessica) and Baby Cohen, & Brian Terrell. She was predeceased by her parents, Major General and Mrs. D. Preston Lee. She was also predeceased by her younger brother Ensign John E. Lee, in a naval flight accident in the Mediterranean Sea in 1965. Maryanne will also be remembered by many dear cousins, nieces and nephews. Disclaimer: This Obituary was written by her family and would not have been approved by Maryanne as she would have preferred to limit her obituary to 5 sentences or less. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Brandywine Valley SPCA or a charity of your choice. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday March 11, 2022 at 1:00 PM at St. Jude The Apostle Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes DE where visitation will begin at 10:00 AM in the church. Interment will be private at St. Peters Cemetery, Pilottown.

Maryanne Lee Ennis

February 4, 1939 - February 25, 2022