Obituary for Marie Geisel  1949-2025

Marie Louise Geisel (nee VanLeeuwen), 76, of Dayton, Ohio passed away on October 5, 2025 from the effects of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1), a progressive genetic disorder.

Marie was born on September 15, 1949 to William and Isabel VanLeeuwen in Dayton, Ohio. She attended Holy Angels School, and graduated from Alter High School in 1967. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Education at the University of Dayton.

Marie was the first woman in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati to have earned a Certification in Catechesis, which served her well as a religion teacher with the Dayton Catholic school system, as well as in her journey of faith. Drawing upon her musical talent, first nurtured with piano lessons from her beloved grandmother, Adele Klopf, she broadened her role to music teacher in schools, both public and private, eventually becoming a music director and organist in church ministry, including many years as volunteer director for the Rwandan Choir of Dayton. Also during those years, she had many students as a private teacher of piano and voice.

On the second Saturday of August 1977, Marie met her musician husband Gary (aka Gray) at St. Rita Church. They were married on the second Saturday of August 1978. Marie and Gray went on to have two children, always had a dog or two, and ducks which were an endless source of amusement for her.

Marie was a can-do person who cared. She was a prominent volunteer in the world-hunger organization Bread for the World, helped lead clean-up efforts for a superfund toxic waste site with Valleycrest Neighbors and Concerned Citizens, served as an officer in LEAD (Leaders for Equality and Action in Dayton) to promote transportation access for low income residents, and was a busy volunteer in St. Vincent de Paul until the end of her life.

In recent years, Marie found a spiritual home with the Society of Friends (Quakers). It was a good fit, reflecting her decades-long practice of contemplative prayer and dedication to social justice. She took many people under her wing as caring friend, godmother, second-mother and helper. She loved people, and they loved her back. Marie believed that faith in action was doing good for others, and it came naturally for her.

In her personal life, Marie loved her garden. She also enjoyed traveling, reading, playing piano, cooking with recipes from around the world, socializing. Her family was very important to her.

Marie was predeceased by her father William VanLeeuwen, her mother Isabel VanLeeuwen (nee Klopf). She is survived by siblings Annette Debevec (Chuck, RIP), Julie Lonneman (Bill), Gene (Jeff) and Tom (Barb), husband Gray, daughter Sarita Geisel-Lewis (Starsky) and their two children Amara and Zoe, and bonus granddaughter Brooklynn Rivers. Marie is also survived by son Micah, plus many beloved nieces and nephews.

Marie’s ashes have been quietly buried at St. Kateri Preserve, Calvary Cemetery in Dayton.

The Memorial Gathering takes place at Polen Farm, 5099 Bigger Road on November 21, from 1:00 to 5:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Dayton District Council, and to the Alpha-1 Foundation, Coral Gables, FL in memory of Marie Geisel.

Despite her taxing medical condition, Marie lived a full, productive and happy life. To those who knew her, thank you for being a part of it.