Marlene "Marty" Crisp

I stood among the crowd anxiously scanning the faces approaching the finish line of the 2008 Portland Marathon.  And there she was. Weary but with a celebratory expression, Marty had completed the task of walking the entire 26.2 mile course.  

Marty had spent the past six months training for this event and now she was able to cumulate all her hard work into actualizing a personal vision, an impressive accomplishment.   As I watched her enter the finish arena, with overwhelming feelings of pride I realized there was an intrinsic part of this woman that needed to be acknowledged.  And so I began the journey of discovering the voices of family, friends, and acquaintances.  It was not long before realizing that this was not the first time others would stand back and take notice of this amazing woman as she passed through their lives. 

There were many voices that needed to be heard to add to the chorus of praise, but none more important than from her adult children.  Tracking her children from Washington, Oregon, and Alaska provided an opportunity to develop the relationship needed to pursue this activity.  And so the stories came…

Talking to her children individually the same words kept repeating.  Words of honor, respect, courage, strength, perseverance, “led by example”, always doing what needed to done, even if “she didn’t think she was strong enough or brave enough”.  As stated by one of her children, “she helped us through school, sports, horseback riding, and other time consuming activities”.   Yet, despite the consistent busyness of her life nurturing her own five children, she never hesitated when called upon to help others.  Therefore, when a young teenage boy appeared in their lives, typical of Marty, she embraced him as part of their family.   “She saved my life in my time of need…I live my life in honor of her”. 

(Chris, 2008) 

As a single mother caring for her children and returning to graduate school she struggled at times to find the balance between work, family, and home.  She was confronted with various “life interruptions” that could have hindered positive progress in her life.  Nevertheless she persevered in spite of the difficulties encountered. 

Marty entered her professional life as a school teacher, a field that has been proven to be exhausting, underpaid and often unappreciated.   However, for Marty the rewards were numerous, a child learning to read or understanding a math problem, seeing the sparkle in a child’s eyes with the joy of learning.  With the role of educator Marty carried the enormous challenge of molding the lives and minds of children as she gently directed them toward their greatest potential.  How often do any of us remember favorite teachers?  Someone who offered the classroom as a place of safely and encouragement while providing a brief interlude from the chaos of the outside world.  For those children whose lives were shared with “Mrs. Crisp” I would venture to guess that they were fortunate indeed to have such a teacher.  As stated by her son, Sean after a conversation with an acquaintance.  “This guy didn’t know who I was, but said that his favorite teacher was his 6th grade teacher…Mrs. Crisp.” 

Marty’s achievements to education and to the community are impressive.  Her years of service in education have been marked by being nominated and awarded “Principal of the Year” by the Washington Association of School Administrators, and later awarded the “Administrator of the Year” presented by the Battle Ground School District.  Most notable Marty has been an active member for the past seven years with the Battle Ground Education Foundation.  As a member of the board of directors she has worked to assist needy children in the community with essential supplies and resources to improve the quality of their education and their lives at home. 

I once shared a quote with Marty, which I thought best described the gifts that follow in her footpath.  “We all live downstream.”  It is this “downstream” concept that best describes Marty’s life as her personal beliefs about family, humanity, compassion and faith filtered into her work and family. 

Marty quietly walks this earth living a life of gratitude and tenderheartedness, expecting little in return.  She is an incredible woman who lives a life of service little known to others, as she does not boast or assume recognition.  Marty is extremely devoted to her family as demonstrated by her unyielding support at all times.  She is a loyal friend, wonderful mother, amazing sister, loving daughter and awesome grandmother.  She is loved by many.  She is my friend. 

When I watched Marty cross the finish line, I knew without a doubt that the end represented the completion of an inspiring accomplishment and the beginning of more adventures in her life.  It is with vision that I, Lisa Davila, and Marty’s children: Debra, Sean, Jenna, Becca, Josh and Chris believe in the inherent greatness of a heroine…Marlene “Marty” Crisp. 

With much love.