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Marie Derrick
November 26, 2015
Marie Louise Derrick

 When you call her voice mail, the message said “I am Marie”.
Marie Derrick earned that statement in a lifetime of defining herself, and devoting that life to helping others learn and grow. Following a lengthy illness, Marie passed away on November 26, 2015 in Greenbrae, California at the age of 69. She is survived by her beloved daughter Regina Brital, her daughter-in-law Christine Brital, her grandsons Alec and Andrew Brital, all of Greenbrae, her sister Patricia McCaw, her nephews Derek McCaw, Chris McCaw, John Burgess, and Bob Cabral, and nieces Pamela Furze, Claudia Cabral, and Kathleen Klump.
   Raised Catholic but a follower of many paths, she began as a teacher in the early days of the Head Start program in Stockton, California. To further herself, she graduated from LaVerne University, going on to earn a Masters’ from UCSF, becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist.  Her professional career took her to Valley Community Counseling, where she became a supervising therapist. She moved into a private practice, both for individual and group counseling, and was in high demand to lead workshops and retreats. At one point, Marie even hosted a therapy cruise. Her expertise led her to serve as an expert witness for family cases in courts in both California and Hawaii.
While supervising clients at the Three Rivers Indian Lodge, she returned to education as a Psychology instructor at Delta College, as well as teaching Continuing Education classes for therapists.
   Marie’s interests in alternative healing led to her working in hypnotherapy and past life regression. She often worked as a spiritual counselor and a quantum touch healer. Though she never wrote a book of her own, she collaborated on several in the areas of her interest.
Despite the seriousness of her vocation, friends recalled how she would fill a room with her laughter, and always strove to give friends and family what they needed.
   Born in Manteca and living there for her first several decades, she moved to Deming, New Mexico, to be near her daughter and her family, then to Albuquerque, before finally achieving her dream to live in Hawaii near the rainforest on the big island.
Fascinated by the Hindu deity Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, Marie herself did what she could to encourage everyone she met in their journey. For many, her wisdom will be missed.
   A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the FESM Hall in Manteca. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the charity of your choice, reflecting the many different lives that Marie touched.

Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Saturday, January 2, 2016