Marie-Luise (Marlies) Luchsinger, long-time Brentwood resident and former Brentwood High School teacher, passed away on March 12, 2020 at the age of 75, after a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Frank Luchsinger; son, Brent (Taunia Rice) Luchsinger; daughter, Kristina (Daniel) Schurzig; sister, Waltraud (Hans-Georg) Dittgen; and three beautiful grandchildren.
Marlies was born and raised in Butzbach, Germany. She fell in love with US Army Capt. Frank Luchsinger and they were married in her hometown. In 1966, Marlies graduated from the University of Giessen, Germany and then bravely made the five thousand mile move to the new culture and country of America. She obtained her US educator credientials and worked on the base at Ft. Bragg, NC teaching soldiers Math, English, and US History. In 1967, Marlies joined her husband in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he was stationed. While living in East Africa, she delighted in trips to Eritrea, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon.
Upon Frank’s depature from the Army, Marlies completed her graduate work, receiving her Masters degree in education from Georgia State University. She also obtained her US Citizenship during that time. Marlies then taught English to high schoolers in Georgia, and later to Saudi Arabian businessman in Washington, DC.
In 1982, the Luchsingers happily settled in Brentwood. While completing her post-graduate work at Belmont University, Marlies began a 22 year career at Brentwood High School where she taught English, Latin, and German, and was responsible for the annual staff. Marlies pursued her passion for teaching with great vigor and enthusiasm for learning. She cared deeply for her students and strove to impart to them not only a love for languages and learning, but also a desire to become critical thinkers and problem solvers.
Throughout her life, Marlies sought to see as much of the world as possible. She embraced each opportunity to experience the cultures she visited, and always saw travel as an exciting adventure. Whether sitting astride an elephant in Thailand, being drenched by the waters of Iguazu Falls in Argentina, or walking with her grandchildren on the white beaches of the Florida Panhandle, Marlies took notice of absolutely everything.
At home in Brentwood, Marlies was an avid bridge player and spent countless happy hours participating in various bridge groups in the area. She also served for many years as a volunteer at Grace Works in Franklin. Marlies never tired of teaching and learning, as many of her duly enlightened friends and family could attest.
The family would like to thank Dr. Dana Cardin and the team at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, as well as Alive Hospice, for their excellent care and heartfelt support of Marlies. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Brentwood United Methodist Church at later date due to the current Coronavirus pandemic.
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