Obituary of Marie C Schilling

Marie Schilling, nee Caine, passed away peacefully at the Masonic Village in Lafayette Hill on March 24, 2023 at the age of 94. She was born on April 23, 1928, and was the only child of Charles Caine and Monica Caine, nee Slick.  

 

Marie was predeceased by her husband, William Allan Schilling, with whom she shared 62 years of marriage.  She is survived by her sons, Dr. Dale Allen Schilling, VMD (husband of Ellen Lea), Grant Schilling (husband of Leslie), and daughter Tamara Haring (wife of Christopher). Her grandchildren, Justin Schilling (husband of Emily), Nathaniel Travis Schilling, Cora Young, Britta Haring (wife of Charles), Blair Haring, Tyler Schilling (husband of Zoe), and Cooper Schilling and her Great-Grandchildren, Owen, Harrison, Lauren, Sullivan, Everett, and Sylvia, affectionately knew her as “Re-Re.”

 

Marie grew up in the Germantown section of Philadelphia and attended Girls’ High. She studied Art Education at The Philadelphia College of Art (now the University of the Arts), where she met her future husband, “Bill.”

 

Marie often reminisced fondly of her childhood summers spent in Forest City, Pennsylvania with her grandmother and her many cousins. Marie’s mother was a Forest City native and was one of twelve children. So, Marie had lots of cousins who were her playmates in many a summer adventure in Forest City.

 

While raising her family, Marie taught school at Raven Hill Academy and subsequently at Norwood Fontbonne Academy. She later taught Saturday Art Classes at the Whitemarsh Art Center. She loved teaching young people Art and Art History. She was proud of her students’ accomplishments and kept many volumes of photo albums filled with pictures of their artwork.

 

Marie always had a creative project going. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, making clothing, decorating for the holidays, making center pieces for church events and cooking. She loved to entertain and cook for her friends and family, and her beautifully appointed home was always the hub for family get-togethers. Her penchant for mayonnaise and butter was unparalleled, and her Cole-Slaw was a staple on Holiday spreads. She never served a meal that wasn’t complete with her favorite food -- ice cream.

 

In their retirement, Bill and Marie traveled the world, played countless rounds of golf, and even took up Line Dancing.  They were long-time members of Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, where Marie played golf well into her eighties. In her later years, you could still find her playing “Bridge with the Girls,” her old Chippewa Road neighbors and lifelong friends.

 

She was the center of her family, and her home was always open to her grandchildren, whether for a weekend sleep-over or a months’ long stay to finish school or house-hunt. ReRe’s fridge was permanently stocked with Chocolate-Chip Cookies and Klondike Bars, and you could always find a jar of Sourdough Pretzels on her kitchen counter. Her backyard was host to epic sledding ramps, slip-n-slides, tree swings, and pick-up basketball games.

 

Marie will be remembered for her generosity, sharp tongue, and her hot-pink lipstick. She will be forever missed by her family who continue to honor her legacy in their creative pursuits, their wanderlust, and their love of their own families.