Marijane Garrett's Obituary
Marijane “MJ” Garrett, at the age of 55 years young, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of Tuesday, November 28, 2017. She was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in September of 2016. She is survived by her wife, Ella Buckingham, her sister Nancy Queen (David), her nephew Adam Queen (Jennifer) and niece Tracy Shearin (Joe) and great nephew and nieces: Jackson, Juliana and Joseph Queen and Mack and Mae Shearin. She is also survived by her beloved fur-children: GG, Budha, Elvis, Ottis and Miss Mouse.MJ worked for the University of Memphis for 32 years as a Computer Systems Technical Support in the Arts and Science Department. She also attended the University where she played the French horn for the Memphis State Band, as well as in high school at Overton. She retired from U of M in June of 2016. She was a life-long resident of Midtown Memphis and enjoyed her community immensely. Some of her favorite activities were meeting friends for dinner and beers at the local restaurants and taverns and sitting on patios enjoying the company. She was a tinkerer by trade with an analytical brain to figure out problems or learning new skills. She could also play the piano and loved music. She was smart and charismatic, funny and kind. To know her was to love her immediately. She was generous with her time and put forth the effort to make those around her feel important.Through her disease, MJ carried herself with grace, humility and positivity. She did not complain often and didn’t want to burden anyone with her needs. She was surrounded by family and friends who traveled near and far to be with her, support her, care for her and jump at the chance to help when she did make a request. She called them her angels and cherished each and every visit, phone call and text. Her greatest fear with her illness was leaving behind those she loved so dearly. Though those she has left behind feel a great loss without her presence, we are comforted in knowing that she is healed and whole in Heaven and now our guardian angel watching over us.MJ was passionate about many things, but nothing more than her furry friends. She was known to pick up any stray she found wandering around Midtown and make sure to find them a good home. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to any of her favorite charities: ASPCA of Tennessee and the Tunica Humane Society. She was also passionate about the fight to cure ALS and would appreciate any donations going to the TN Chapter of the ALS Association.Memorial Service will be announced later via her Facebook page with more details. Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave., Memphis, TN 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Celebrating Life… Behind the Stone Wall”.
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