Marcella Deters

Marcella Dorothy Carolan Deters, 94 years old, passed away Dec. 10, 2012 at Jacksonville Beach. Marcella graduated from Cortland State Teacher’s College in New York with a B.S. degree in physical education followed by a Master’s degree at Columbia in New York City. Her teaching career started at Keene Teacher’s College in New Hampshire followed by Thornton Academy in Saco, Maine where she was a successful field hockey, basketball and softball coach. Next she taught at Cobb Jr. High in Tallahassee, Fl. Retiring after 30 years of teaching from FSCJ south campus in Jacksonville, Fl., where she taught health, physical education and was the men and women’s tennis coach. She was also an accomplished golfer and gave back to her community as a girl scout leader where practiced her love of environmental conservation.

Marcella was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church for 44 years. Her proudest family moments include having all four of her daughters receive their Master’s degrees and having Christmases together as a family.

Marcella is predeceased by Arthur Deters, her husband of 66 years. Together they travelled the world. They divided their time between their home on Lake Keowee in SC and their Jacksonville Beach residence. She was the loving mother of Karen Caron (Rick) of Jacksonville Beach, Sherry Deters and Robin Cade (John) of Tallahassee and Gretchen Deters-Murray (Charlie) of Atlantic Beach. Surviving family members include nephew Paul Saacke of Chester, NJ, niece Jane Saacke of NY, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great grandchildren. We would like to thank Marcella’s caregivers Marion, Becky, Donnajo, Dee, Bridget, Gretchen, and Jacqueline for their tireless devotion. A celebration of her life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22nd in the Chapel of HARDAGE-GIDDENS FUNERAL HOME, 1701 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville Beach, FL with Fr. William Kelly presiding. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to FSU Women's Athletics at Let Us Play Fund, Florida State University Seminole Boosters, PO Box 1353, Tallahassee, Florida 32302.