I am saddened to report the passing of our dear friend and colleague Michele A. Marable, PhD, emerita professor of teacher education. Michele died on Monday, September 28, at the age of 62.
Michele joined the ranks of our teacher education faculty in 1996 and retired from the college in 2017. Countless graduates have benefited over the years from Michele’s commitment to helping improve the education and lives of children with disabilities. She helped to prepare many of the special education teachers in the Western New York area. Upon her retirement, alumni of the program expressed their thanks to Michele for her “strength and passion.”
Michele served as chair of the Teacher Education Department and as NCATE coordinator. As special education program director, Michele worked closely with adjunct faculty soliciting their crucial feedback on how well our program would prepare graduates for the field. An advocate for social justice and equity in our community, Michele created the Ignatian Scholars Program as part of an Oishei grant, which gave candidates an in-depth look at urban education. She was a co-principal investigator for the JUSTICE (Justice for Underserved Students: Teaching in Inclusive Classroom Environments) Project, which in 2011 garnered Canisius a $1.5 million grant, the college’s largest grant at that time.
Michele was inducted into the Cradle Beach Legends Hall of Fame and was a long-time partner of Tapestry Charter School, serving as a board member.
Relatives and friends may visit the Lombardo Funeral Home (Snyder Chapel), 4614 Main Street, near Harlem Road, on Thursday, October 1, from 2-5 and 7-9 pm and Friday, October 2, from 4-7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 3, in St. Joseph University Heights Church, 3269 Main Street, at 10 am.
Requiescat in pace!
Submitted by: John J. Hurley, President
