Get to know me
Hello! My name is Maryanne Lewell and I am a relative newcomer to South Carolina.
I am originally from Atlantic Canada, where I lived until June of 2021. I was born and grew up in Saint John, New Brunswick - a small city that sits right on the Bay of Fundy. The Bay of Fundy is home to the highest tides in the entire world. It's a rocky, rugged coastline, and the Bay's water is always cold. For real. It's about 50 degrees F all year, even in the summer.
I studied English Literature at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) in Saint John, and then did my MA in English at UNB Fredericton: I examined the transmission of generational trauma in British novels revisiting the First World War, all written since 1990. My BEd is from St Thomas University in Fredericton. I also hold a second MA in History from UNB, where I studied at the Gregg Centre for the Study of War and Society. I examined minority responses to the First World War in Atlantic Canada. My field of academic study is the First World War, and I have had articles published. I have a secondary interest in the colonial era of the Americas, with particular interest in the Acadian people. I am very proud to be a University of New Brunswick alumna!
You might be wondering why I'm in Greenville, South Carolina.
Once, I was on this game show called Jeopardy! It was the 2013 Teacher's Tournament, and I was a semifinalist. I had to travel from New Brunswick across the entire continent to Los Angeles, California in order to film the episodes.
Being on Jeopardy! was a dream come true. I met the late Alex Trebek! Oh, and also this fellow in South Carolina who is now my husband. Yes, we actually met on Jeopardy! We were married in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, in July 2017.
It took a few years to complete the paperwork and interviews of the immigration process. We finally concluded that process just as COVID-19 took hold around the world.
During the pandemic's initial outbreak I was in Canada, across the closed international border from my husband Michael and my stepkids. If you also were separated from your loved ones around the world by the pandemic (or just generally by life's circumstances), I see you.
My husband and I now live in Simpsonville with our two cats, Dorito and Praline, and we recently added a goldendoodle puppy named Nanaimo. We have two kids we coparent from his first marriage: the youngest goes to high school in Greenville, and the oldest is just starting at USC this year. My husband is a proud alumnus to see his son going to USC as well.
I am an active user of social media. You can find me on Instagram under the handle @mlewell : I enjoy posting my teaching outfits by the green lectern. I am a known novelty print aficionado.
My dad (pictured in the UNB photo) made the green lectern for my classroom in Saint John, and he is so happy that it has safely made the move to my new classroom here in SC.
In my spare time, I love to cook. I make excellent preserves, and my grilling game is on point. I'm working on proper southern BBQ, and I'm getting pretty good at it. I also enjoy sewing, especially quilting. I make baby quilts for expectant friends and family. I'm learning about growing plants. When the zombie apocalypse comes, I'll be survival-ready with my knowledge of the domestic arts.
My favourite sports team is the Montreal Canadiens. GO HABS GO!!! With a USC family we are most definitely a Gamecocks home for football. We are a house divided on baseball: I like the Toronto Blue Jays and he likes the Houston Astros.
I miss the ocean and the fog every day, but South Carolina has its charms too.
