Marie Warrington Rogers, devoted teacher
At an early age, Marie Warrington Rogers learned that when books are opened, you discover you have wings. She wrote the final chapter in her personal book of life Thursday, March 5, 2026. However, I know she will be starting a new book with God, as she picks up her pen and dons her new wings in heaven. Death will not be the end of her story. It is just another chapter. The illustrations for her new book will include rainbows, which her son has been flying around in his angel wings gathering for her for 21 years up there. It is sure to be a best seller.
Marie was born June 24, 1935, the daughter of the Reverend Manaen F. Warrington, Sr. and Hilda M. (Quillen) Warrington of Selbyville. She graduated from Selbyville High School (in absentia), then went on to receive an associate’s degree in Education from Delaware Technical & Community College, a bachelor’s degree in education from University of Delaware (with honors), and a master’s degree in education from Salisbury State College. She also held a principal’s certificate, an approved Laubach Literacy Tutoring certificate, and a reading specialist’s certificate. Marie spent 20 years of service to Georgetown Elementary School, 10 years teaching grade six and 10 years as a reading specialist.
She was a past member of several professional organizations, including National Education Association, Delaware State Education Association, Indian River Education Association, International Reading Association, and Delaware State Reading Association. She was former vice president of the Sussex County Organization of Reading Excellence and was a member of Kappa Delta Pi (an honor society in education).
Marie was appointed by Dr. Madden to the State Advisory Council on Teacher Education and Professional Standards from 1973-76. She was a committee member for Indian River School District Curriculum Revision for reading, spelling and English. She also served on the reading textbook adoption committees for Riverside and Holt (K–6), as well as on the junior high reading textbook adoption committee. She implemented “Book-It” (a National Reading Program) in grades three through six She implemented Computer Management System in the reading department and implemented the effective use of computer software for elementary students using high school computer lab (WASATCH).
While in elementary school, Marie won first place in the Goldey-Beacom Spelling Championship Award for two consecutive years and first place in both the local and state fire prevention essay competitions. She got to read her essay over the radio. Wow! That was a big treat for an elementary student to be ‘on the air’.
Marie was never bored since she had so many interests. Even during the pandemic, there was never enough time to get everything done. She enjoyed cryptic crosswords, Sudoku, and Super Kakuro, and she loved playing cards, dominoes, and board games. She was also an avid reader. She usually had two or three books going at a time, and she tried to never miss Jeopardy. She liked music, loved to sing and dance, and played the piano, organ, French horn and autoharp. She served as a troop leader for Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council for several years.
Traveling with her husband, Jack, was high on her list. Together, they had visited most of the U.S., all the provinces of Canada and many foreign lands including France, Germany, England, Puerto Rico, Italy, and Holland, to name a few. They traveled by car, bus, train, plane, hovercraft, snow coach, or whatever mode of travel was prevalent in the area in which they were visiting. They had cruised to Bermuda, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco and Rome. Perhaps their most memorable cruise was on their 50th wedding anniversary, when they cruised to several islands in the eastern and western Caribbean. They were joined by their three daughters and their families for the occasion. Jack and Marie renewed their marriage vows aboard ship. Needless to say, their grandson, Darren, was the best man and their granddaughter, Sarah Marie, was the maid of honor. What better choices could one have? Curiosity abounded and fun was had by all.
Marie was predeceased by her parents, her son, Hayward Ralph Daisey; and her older brother, Manaen F. Warrington Jr. of Salisbury, Md.
Left behind to grieve her loss are her beloved husband of 70 years, Jack Rogers; their three daughters, Jacqueline Anne Rickards (Ronald) of Seaford, Judy Marie Hickman (Gary) of Frankford and Mary Jayne Bowden (Arthur) of Frankford; four grandchildren, John Ross Hall, Sarah Marie Absher (Adam), Darren Ross Bowden and Sherrie Ann Daisey; and two great-grandchildren, Kinsley Blake Absher and Baylen Olivia Absher. Also left behind are hert hree brothers, Wayne E. Warrington, Sr. (Ruth) of Hebron, Md., Franklin R. Warrington of Salisbury, Md., and John H. Warrington of Salisbury; one sister, Mary Hazel Doerfler of Georgetown; and several nieces and nephews.
A viewing will be held from noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, March 19, at the Frankford Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 43 Thatcher St., Frankford, where a funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Entombment will be held privately at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Millsboro.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting melsonfuneralservices.com.
