Marion Joan Schaatt

Born in Reno, Nevada on July 17, 1940 to Roy Otto Blankenship and Pauline Ruby Blankenship nee Ray, she married Clarence Joseph Schaatt on April 23, 1960. Their only son, Gregory Dowe Schaatt was born June 18, 1962.

She is survived by her son, Gregory Dowe Schaatt, a step-daughter, Tania Zeestraten, her brother, David Blankenship, her sister, Gail Stoorza-Gill, her Aunt, Jo Fennema and numerous cousins.

She is missed by many others whom she loved and whose lives she touched.

She spent over 30 years as a licensed Real Estate Broker/ certified trainer and was respected by her peers in the industry.

She suffered for over 25 years with a neuro-muscular disorder, Dystonia, and was active in the support communities for the disease.

My mother was a wonderful, caring, funny, brilliant and lovely lady. She traveled the world, making many friends along the way. She loved to write, read and greatly enjoyed opera and the theater. She deeply loved cats and had many “furry kids” during her lifetime.

Dad passed when I was eight, leaving a young woman to raise a boy on her own in the early 70’s. Despite the obstacles, she returned to college at the University of Houston, graduating with Honors and a BA in Political Science. During those years at U of H, she was, understandably, hanging out with the “college crowd”. That included attending concert, which I enjoyed as well. Those experiences instilled in me a love of music and the music industry, which continues to this day.

She infected me with her love of travel at an early age which has contributed to my happiness and furthered my career. She showered me with unconditional love for my entire life and always supported my work. She was, at times, annoyingly proud of me, telling everyone with whom she interacted about my latest escapades and accomplishments.

If you were loved by Mom, as so many were, you were loved “fiercely”, as someone recently said. She would do anything for those about whom she cared. She had a huge heart and was capable of tremendous compassion.

Upon her death, she requested that her brain be donated to the Dystonia Foundation for research, in the hope that, by doing so, she could help prevent others from suffering that debilitating disorder. That has been done with the assistance of the Harvard Brain Institute. Other than that, she wished that things be kept simple. To that end, her remains will be cremated and some of her ashes spread over my Father’s grave. The remaining ashes will be distributed in a fireworks display to celebrate her life with joy.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to:

https://www.dystonia-foundation.org/donate/donation_detail/471

Mailed to: DMRF, 1 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 1730, Chicago, IL 60601-1980 or by phone at: 312.755.0198

To those who have told me that I was a good son and did right by her, I respond that it is only because of the way she raised me. Instead of a formal memorial service, I shall gather everyone who is interested together sometime in April to share stories of Mom and celebrate her life. Due to my schedule, a specific date, time and location is yet to be determined. There will be one held in the DFW area and an additional one in Houston. They will most likely be between April 10 and April 17. I will get the word out through email and Facebook as soon as possible.

Regardless of one’s personal belief in a higher power, when those whom we love depart this world, it leaves a hole in your life and your heart. Judging by the condolences and love expressed by all who knew Mom, she leaves a lot of empty space behind in each and every one of us.

It helps heal my heart and soul to know that so many people loved her, and were loved by her. All I can do moving forward is to live as she taught me; with love, compassion, humor and determination. That is my way of honoring her and her life.