1-08-2023 4:18am

In Memory: Marianne Deery—Champion Cheerleader

Lesley Misko Editor

by Jane Stahl

Boyertown will grieve the loss of Marianne Deery, its beloved former mayor and innkeeper, for a long, long time. But the community, tagged as a “special kind of place,” will benefit from her tireless efforts and generosity for much, much longer—maybe even forever.

So many lives she touched! So many projects benefitting the community that she loved have resulted from the festivals and activities fronted by Building a Better Boyertown (BaBB)—the name she bequeathed to the fledgling organization she and a few others founded that, 20 years ago, launched serious revitalization efforts through the Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s Main Street Program.

Yet, what I will miss about Marianne is personal; and I doubt I am alone. What I will miss is her belief in me. Let me explain.

One evening I offhandedly said to her, “Now that Boyertown has a successful BBB, what it needs is an AAA—an Arts & Activities Alliance!” She looked me straight in the eye and said, “Do it! Make it happen!” I felt empowered by her challenge.

On another occasion, when I told her that international artists were planning to come to Boyertown, she invited the coordinators to stay at the Inn and refused compensation for their stay. No matter what project I have shared with her—mundane or far-out—she was quick to express her enthusiasm and amazement. And her generous support.

I remember the story of her recruitment of Linda Flederbach as BaBB’s first Main Street Manager. Linda said she didn’t feel qualified; Marianne convinced her otherwise. And I’m certain that there are boundless stories just like Linda’s and mine.

Marianne had the gift that Maya Angelou explained in her oft-quoted confession, “I have learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Marianne made me feel that I could do anything and that everything I did was amazing! She inspired me to follow my dream, to take a risk, to try what might seem impossible…or unpopular. Her belief in me was unqualified; her support was generous and never wavered. And I’m certain she championed others in exactly the same way.

I was reminded of this gift during a “B Inspired” podcast episode we recorded a year ago. I wanted to talk about her accomplishments, what she was most proud of as a newly-retired mayor and founder of Building a Better Boyertown. Instead, she insisted on saying nice things about my efforts and the efforts of many others in the community. There was no stopping her in her cheerleading role!

One other memory remains that defines her: she recalled one day when her breakfast table at Twin Turrets Inn included men and women from nine other countries. She was so pleased that all of them shared similar stories about their families and their feelings of pride and concern for their well-being. She loved her part in creating an experience of unity among people from around the world— proving to her and to them just how alike we all are and just how easily we could all be friends.

Perhaps, above all, at the heart of her role of championing and inspiring people to follow their dreams, was her dream: reminding us all that, in the end, building a better Boyertown meant knowing that none of us is a stranger— just a friend we have not yet met.

Rest in peace, my friend; your legacy: building a better Boyertown. We will continue your work and remember you always.