Mari Jayne Fuller
April 23, 1959 - March 2, 2013

"Ryan, what a great mom she was to you! I so enjoyed her. God bless you Karen Sorenson LaValley PA-C"

"Mari, Your son and I were thick as thieves back in the day, and that didn't stop you from taking me in and loving me like a son :) Countless days and nights we spent at your warm and welcoming house, eating dinners and chatting; you were always so interested in everything I had going on, it made me feel like a very special kid. You took me in at a time when I needed a home. Nothing I can do will ever be able to repay you for that unprecedented generosity. You were like a second mother to me, and it breaks my heart that I'll never again roll down Chicago street to see you waiting on the stoop with a heartfelt greeting. I am a stronger, more confident person because of who you were to me, and I'm forever indebted to you. The world will be sorely lacking a truly caring and honest person, but the afterlife has gained one heck of a woman. Say hi to Bear for us, and I can't wait to see you again some day to tell you all about the person you helped me become. Love, Dave"

"Mari was one of my favoriate co workers over the years. Always ready to tell me what she thought, then with a smile telling me it would all work out. She will be missed. "

"Mari was always fun to be around. I don't think I ever saw her without a smile. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Rest in Peace Mari You will never be forgotten. God Bless Mari's family as they go through this heartbreaking time in their lives. "

"I met Mari years ago. We became best friends right off and stayed that way for many years. We were putting up a pool and Mari was right there to help cause she couldn't wait for us to start swimming. We swam everyday with out kids. Those were the good days. Mari came home with a boxer named Bear one day and shortly after that we came home with a boxer named Otis. Bear and Otis became fast friends and cried until we would get out into the front yard to let them play so every night that's where we sat so the boys could play. They hated being apart. Our boys (kids) were also great friends. We started building our two story garage and Mari couldn't wait to run the saws and help build. She was so happy to get her hands into anything. She was so proud of being able to help and most of all to run the saws and use a hammer. When we weren't swimming or letting the boys play, we would play cards and watch TV together. Angela moved in and together Mari and I taught her to love these big funny, happy go lucky Boxers of ours. Poor Angie was so afraid of dogs at first and we had these big huge boxers. It didn't take us long to teach Angela that these big babies would never hurt anyone. I know she will be missed by many. Prayers go out to her family. She's way to young to be gone so fast."

"Mari, I remember when I met you a little over 11 years ago. You were outside, and as I was walking up the street, Bear came towards me like a beast; you assured me he was friendly, but I thought for sure I was going to be eaten alive. What an ice-breaker! On 10/29/04, the day Sam came home, you couldn't have been any more of a friend than you were; one of the first ones at my house, washing bottles, getting together a make shift changing table, telling me what I needed for a newborn; for this, thank you. I'm forever grateful. You're always good for a laugh! Every time the geese fly overhead, I think of you telling me how Ryan used to say "the pterodactyls are coming!" Remember when Tim carried the plastic log cabin from my front yard to the back and kept falling--we laughed so hard we were crying--I know, you had to be there. �? Sam and I have loved being your neighbor and friend and we'll miss you! Thank you for being an important part of our lives!"

"This obituary truly captures all that was important to Mari - her family, neighborhood, and her love of dogs. Mari was the best next door neighbor our family could ask for, and she will be greatly missed. It's hard to imagine what our summers will be like without Mari's front yard gatherings each evening. Mari was extremely generous and thoughtful. My fondest memories are of the way she treated all of the neighborhood children and dogs with such kindness. Her yard has basically become an extension of our own... My kids ride their sleds into her yard, build forts and make snow angels right outside her windows, and she always was welcoming of this. In the summer they would run around and catch fireflies, and the dogs would always be underfoot, fetching a tennis ball for whomever was willing to play. (I joked with Mari that we had the worst-looking lawns in the neighborhood - more weeds than grass, and I loved that Mari was so carefree about that.) When my kids would go out to play, I always knew there was an extra set of watchful eyes looking over them and making sure they were safe. Mari would either come out to her front steps to chat, or she would wave out the front window in greeting. She would often give the kids treats, but I appreciated that she always told them, "not until after dinner," or "you ask your mom and dad if it is alright for you to have this." On Halloween she even encouraged the parents to take a chocolate bar from her stash! Chicago St. will not be the same without Mari. But the blue house next door will always be "Mari's house" to us. "

"Mary was a dear friend since we where little, she had away of making you laugh and have a good time. She was also a very caring person, see will be missed in so many hearts. God Bless her Son and family. So young but never forgotten!"

"A fun outgoing lady will be missed... We had many of good times while growing up and hanging out . "

"I got to know Mary one night soon after 9/11 when I was lining my front walk with candles. She and Vicki and Phil and I sat and drank (and smoked) on a picnic table in Mary's front yard. What an introduction! I'll always remember ... sitting with Mary and the other goofs in the 'hood during the first warm days of spring, late afternoons in the summer, and crisp fall evenings. It gave us a place to go after having been hunkered down all winter .... we dreaded the end of our time together when it became too cold to be outside. One time she and I were the only ones together on the porch gabbing away. It began to rain, but we stayed. She loved that we stuck together and mentioned it often - two crazy ladies sittin' in the rain! Mary kept us together by giving us a central location to shoot the shit, ... and that we did! Even though we weren't supposed to, we'd all come out of our houses to watch the clouds when dangerous storms were coming our way. Mary would be right there looking around with the rest of us and reporting the storm's whereabouts. We would also gather for 4th of July fireworks because the location of Mary's house gave us a great vantage point to see them. One year Chicago Street was blocked off near Page. People kept driving down there - ignoring the "Street Closed" signs. Craig got the idea that we should all applaud those people and we did. Most of the time the vehicles' occupants were good-natured about our ribbing. We laughed and laughed and laughed!! Mary always sat on her porch and handed out bite-sized chocolates for the kids at Halloween, sharing warm praise for each child and her/his costume. She also shared treats with Cole - she loved and protected him. Every time I drove past Mary's house, I waved, hoping she was sitting in her chair and could see my greeting. Understanding and knowing I would probably choose to stay home did not stop her from inviting me to holiday meals. Such a loving woman who welcomed anyone into her life. My heart is broken; I will miss her so much. I know Bear was there to greet her."