MCNABB — Marie Darlene Nielsen DeBates, 79, of McNabb passed away in her home on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013.

Marie was born to Goldwin and Emma Nielsen on Aug. 14, 1933, in Mineral. She married James R. DeBates on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955, and celebrated 40 years of marriage before James passed away on March 30, 1996.

Marie graduated as valedictorian and D.A.R. award winner from Mineral High School. In 1955 she received a bachelor of science degree from Western Illinois University, Macomb. While at Western, she was a member of Pi Omega Pi, Kappa Delta Pi, Sigma Sigma Sigma, and was named to Who’s Who Among University students during 1954-1955. In December of 1983, she received a Master of Science degree in Business Education from Illinois State University, Normal, and was also selected as the outstanding graduate student in business education by the College of Business Awards Committee.

Marie loved being a teacher for 35 1/2 years, and spent the majority of those years at Henry-Senachwine High School, Henry. She taught business, speech and English classes and organized a charter chapter of Future Business Leaders of America, serving as faculty advisor. In 1985 she was a nominee for the “Outstanding Working Woman” award sponsored by the Bureau Valley Business and Professional Women’s Club in Princeton. Following retirement, she continued to substitute teach in the Henry and Putnam County school districts.